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Odisha has been put on high alert as a cyclonic system strengthens over the Bay of Bengal, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Saturday, October 25. The weather office has predicted heavy rainfall in several districts between October 27 and 29, though the system is not expected to make a direct landfall. According to the IMD, a low-pressure area that formed over the southeast Bay of Bengal on October 24 is likely to intensify into a depression by October 25, deepen further into a cyclonic storm by October 27, and move towards the west-central Bay of Bengal.

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said that the state administration is fully prepared to handle the situation. "Odisha is highly vulnerable to natural disasters such as heavy rainfall, flooding, river swelling and cyclones. We are preparing for an impending cyclonic storm predicted to hit its coast on the 22nd or 29th. Departments, including Health, Water Resources, Energy and Agriculture, are fully prepared. Local administrations in vulnerable areas have made arrangements for relief centres, evacuation, and the provision of essential supplies. We urge people not to panic as we are fully prepared," Pujari said. Officials said inter-departmental coordination has been strengthened to ensure a swift response in case of flooding or damage to infrastructure. District collectors have been asked to activate control rooms, stock emergency supplies, and keep evacuation shelters ready.

IMD Bhubaneswar Director Manorama Mohanty confirmed that the system south of the Bay of Bengal is intensifying rapidly. "There is a low-pressure system formed south of the Bay of Bengal. It is likely to form into a depression over the southeast and adjoining Bay of Bengal on October 25, further intensifying into a deep depression by October 26 and into a cyclonic storm by October 27. Odisha is likely to experience heavy rainfall activity on 27, 28 and 29 October. Fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea from the 26th onwards," she said.

The IMD has issued a yellow alert for the entire state, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall in coastal and southern districts. Squally winds with speeds of 40–50 kmph and gusts reaching 60 kmph are expected along the southern coast from October 27.

In view of the alert, fishing activities have been suspended along the Odisha and Tamil Nadu coasts. In Thoothukudi, authorities have halted all fishing operations and instructed boats already at sea to return immediately. Those docked along the coast have been advised not to venture out until further notice.

The public in coastal areas has been urged to stay away from the seashore and monitor official weather updates and cyclone warnings issued by the IMD. While the cyclone may not make direct landfall in Odisha, meteorologists warned that its outer bands could trigger intense rainfall and strong winds capable of disrupting normal life and damaging crops.

Ankit Kumar is a Senior Sub Editor at Zee Business. He covers international affairs, politics, climate change, business, finance and global elections. With experience acros