Depression over Bay of Bengal to become ‘very severe cyclonic storm’ to cross AP coast by October 28

Fishing boats moored on the beach at Pedda Jalaripeta in Visakhapatnam on Sunday, October 25, 2026 ahead of a cyclonic storm forecast. | Photo credit: In Paradise

Coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha are on high alert ahead of a severe cyclonic storm expected to make landfall on the morning of October 28, packing winds of 115 to 125 kmph with gusts of up to 140 kmph.

According to a bulletin issued by the India Meteorological Department on Sunday (October 25, 2026) evening, “a trough over the central-east and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal moved southwest at 5 km/ha (and) intensified into a deep depression during the last six hours. 870 km east-southeast of Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.”

The system is likely to move nearly southwest and further intensify into a cyclonic storm over the central-east and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal early Monday (October 26) morning. It is then very likely to move west-northwest over the east-central and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal on Tuesday morning (October 27), the bulletin said.

The severe cyclonic storm is then likely to move northwestward, intensify further into a very severe cyclonic storm and reach the west-central Bay of Bengal near the Andhra Pradesh coast on Wednesday morning (October 28) and cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam.

Evacuation until October 27

Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority Director General Prakhar Jain told The Hindu that the state has deployed 12 battalions of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and seven battalions of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). The state has also requested three more battalions of the NDRF in view of the impending cyclone, which could have a bigger impact than last year’s severe cyclonic storm Montha.

People in likely affected areas in Bapatla, Krishna, West Godavari, Dr. BR Ambedkar, Konaseema, Kakinada, Anakapalli, Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram will be evacuated to shelters on or before October 27, Mr. Jain said.

Preparing for cyclone damage

The Odisha government on Sunday (October 25) directed eight ministers, including two deputy chief ministers, to be deployed in eight districts to oversee disaster management measures and post-cyclone recovery activities.

The state expects five districts – Rayagada, Gajapati, Koraput, Malkangiri and Nabarangpur, which are located near Andhra Pradesh – to bear the brunt of the cyclone and face heavy rains. Apart from the deployment of ministers, five IAS officers have also been asked to monitor and control the situation in these districts.

“Dwellers of mud houses, thatched huts and low-lying areas are identified and shifted to safe cyclone shelters. Expectant mothers who are nearing their due date are pre-shifted to nearby community health centres, public health centers and hospitals. Special measures are also in place for the elderly, children and persons with disabilities (PwDs).

24 teams of Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and six teams of NDRF have been deployed in five districts to deal with emergencies. Earlier, the state government had announced that all schools and colleges in these five districts would be closed on October 27 and 28.

The government has opened 24×7 control centers in districts likely to be hit by the cyclone after canceling the holidays of government employees. Dedicated helpline numbers and toll-free services have also been made available to the public.

(With inputs from Vijayawada Bureau)

A #Deep #Depression over Eastcentral and adjoining Southeast #Bay of #Bengal moving westward at 8 km/h during last 6 hours was centered at 1730 hrs IST today 25 Oct 2026 over the same area, near Lat 15.1°N and longitude about 90.50 km NW, #Sri_Vijaya_Puram (#Andaman islands), 820 km east-southeast of #Vishakhapatnam (#Andhra_Pradesh), 910 km east-southeast of #Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh), 1010 km east-southeast of #Andhraeastdeshnam #Bapata #0 (Andhra Pradesh). It is very likely to move almost westward and further intensify into a #cyclonic #storm over Eastcentral and adjacent southeast Bay of Bengal by early morning of October 26. It is then very likely to move west-northwestward and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over west-central Bay of Bengal by October 27 morning. After that, it is very likely to move northwest, further intensify into a #very_severe_cyclonic_storm and reach Westcentral Bay of Bengal near Andhra Pradesh coast around morning of 28th October #October 2026. It is very likely to cross the coast of Andhra Pradesh and Yanam between #Bapatla and #Visakhapatnam with a very severe storm with maximum wind speed #Visakhapatnam 115-125 km/h gusts to 140 km/h until noon on October 28, 2026.

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) October 25, 2026

Published – 25 October 2026 22:10 IST