Just as the festive lights are coming down in parts of eastern India, the weather office is asking coastal families to keep an eye on the sea. A low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal is gathering strength, and forecasters expect it to become a cyclonic storm within the next two days.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Saturday, October 24, that the well-marked low-pressure area is likely to turn into a depression during the day, a deep depression on October 25 and a cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal by the morning of October 26. IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said it is likely to make landfall on the morning of October 28, somewhere between the north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts, according to PTI.
Quick Facts
- What: Low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal expected to intensify into a cyclonic storm
- Who is forecasting: India Meteorological Department (IMD)
- When: Cyclonic storm by the morning of October 26; landfall likely on the morning of October 28
- Where: Between the north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts
- Key alert: Odisha has put all 30 districts on alert; fishermen at sea told to return
- Possible name: Arnab (if it becomes the season’s first named storm, as reported by The Week)
Bay of Bengal Cyclone Forecast: What IMD Has Said So Far
The system is moving west-northwest across the Bay. The IMD’s step-by-step outlook is simple: depression on Saturday, deep depression on Sunday, cyclonic storm by Monday morning, and a coastal crossing early on Wednesday, October 28.
Forecasters have not yet fixed an exact landfall point. The current window covers a long stretch of coastline between north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha. The Week, quoting a scientist at the Regional Meteorological Centre, listed Gopalpur in Odisha and Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh among places in the possible path.
Not every report lines up on timing. The Week’s piece suggested the storm could form a day earlier and reach land on the night of October 28. The IMD statement carried by PTI points to the morning. Timings like these usually get sharper once the system organises, so the official IMD bulletins are the ones to follow.
Odisha Cyclone Preparations: Leave Cancelled, Red Warnings Issued
Odisha is not waiting for the storm to get a name. Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said the state has taken all precautionary measures and is aiming for “zero casualties”, PTI reported.
Here is what the state has done so far, according to official statements reported by PTI:
- Leave cancelled for all state employees in Ganjam, Gajapati, Puri and Khurda districts.
- All 30 districts put on alert, with collectors of 16 coastal and southern districts told to take precautions.
- District collectors allowed to decide on closing schools and colleges.
- NDRF, ODRAF and Fire and Emergency Services teams on standby.
- Puja committees in Cuttack asked to remove bamboo structures put up for Durga Puja, which can turn dangerous in strong winds.
Puri, Ganjam and Gajapati are getting extra attention because heavy to very heavy rain is likely there. A red warning for heavy to very heavy rain between October 25 and 27 also covers Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri, The Week reported. Rain alerts extend to districts including Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar and Kalahandi.
The storm has already changed one big plan. President Droupadi Murmu’s two-day visit to Odisha, which was to begin on October 28 and include Rairangpur in her home district of Mayurbhanj, has been moved to November 4 and 5, officials said.
West Bengal, Jharkhand and Beyond: Who Else Gets Rain
West Bengal is not expected to take a direct hit, but it will feel the storm’s edges. DD News reported that thunderstorms with gusts of up to 40 km/h are likely across south Bengal districts from October 28, with heavy rain expected in South 24 Parganas, Purba Medinipur, Paschim Medinipur, Jhargram, Purulia and Bankura. Kolkata is also likely to see thunderstorms from that day.
Fishermen in the state have been advised not to go to sea from October 26. In Odisha, fishermen already in deep waters have been asked to come back to the coast immediately, and owners of large trawlers have been alerted.
The effects may travel well inland. PTI reported that Jharkhand could get rain on October 28 and 29 under the system’s influence, and outlets in Nepal have said the remnants could bring heavy rain there next week.
Will It Be Called Cyclone Arnab?
Several outlets are already using the name “Arnab”. The Week reported that if the system becomes a cyclonic storm, it could be named Arnab, a name proposed by Bangladesh that means “ocean”. Names are only formally assigned once a system actually reaches cyclonic storm strength, so treat the label as likely rather than official for now.
For many in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, the dates will feel familiar. Cyclone Montha crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast in late October last year, with heavy rain alerts across Andhra and Odisha.
What We Don’t Know Yet
- The exact landfall point and time.
- How strong the storm will be when it reaches the coast. The IMD has so far spoken of a cyclonic storm; it has not said whether it could become severe.
- Whether evacuations will be ordered, and where.
- Possible disruption to trains and flights. No cancellations had been announced in the reports we reviewed.
What This Means for You
If you live in or are travelling to coastal Odisha, north Andhra Pradesh or south Bengal over the next few days, a little preparation goes a long way:
- Follow IMD bulletins and your district administration, not forwarded WhatsApp maps.
- Charge phones and power banks, and keep a torch, drinking water, basic medicines and important documents in a waterproof bag.
- Secure loose items on roofs and balconies, such as tin sheets, pots and decorations.
- If you have trips planned around October 27 to 29, check with your airline or railway before leaving home.
- Stay off beaches and away from the sea, even if the sky looks calm.
Our Take
Odisha’s early moves, from cancelling leave to clearing puja pandals, show how much the state has learned from past storms. The forecast still has room to shift, so the most useful thing for residents is to stay calm, stay informed through official channels and be ready to move if local authorities ask.
FAQs
When will the Bay of Bengal cyclone make landfall?
The IMD has said landfall is likely on the morning of October 28, 2026. The exact time may change as the system develops.
Which states will the cyclone hit?
The landfall window lies between the north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts. West Bengal, Jharkhand and other nearby areas are likely to get rain but are not expected to face a direct hit.
What is the name of the new cyclone?
Reports say it could be named Arnab, a name suggested by Bangladesh. The name becomes official only once the system turns into a cyclonic storm.
Are schools closed in Odisha because of the cyclone?
No statewide closure had been announced as of October 24. District collectors have been allowed to decide on closing schools and colleges in their areas, so check local notices.
Where can I get official cyclone updates?
The IMD website and its Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre page post the latest bulletins, along with your state’s disaster management authority.
Based on reporting by PTI (via ThePrint), The Week and DD News.
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