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Schools and Anganwadi centres in several Odisha districts remain closed through September 24 as authorities respond to heavy-rain warnings linked to a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal. The Odisha heavy rain alert covers southern and coastal districts where officials warned of flooding, waterlogging and landslide risks.
The India Meteorological Department’s September 22 bulletin forecast heavy to very heavy rain, with isolated extremely heavy falls, over Odisha through September 24. The New Indian Express and Telegraph India separately reported closures and preparedness measures in affected districts.
Districts under the Odisha heavy rain alert
Khurda district ordered government, aided and private schools from pre-primary through Class XII, as well as Anganwadi centres, to close from September 22 to September 24. Schools and Anganwadi centres in Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Ganjam and Gajapati were also ordered closed through September 24.
Telegraph India reported a red alert extending into September 25 for Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Koraput and Malkangiri. Forecasts identified Koraput, Gajapati and Ganjam as areas at risk of heavy to very heavy rain on September 23 and 24, with extremely heavy rain possible at isolated locations.
The closures apply to students, but The New Indian Express reported that teaching and non-teaching staff were directed to report for duty. School heads were asked to maintain rosters so buildings could remain available for emergency and relief work if required.
Preparedness for flooding and strong winds
Odisha placed collectors in vulnerable districts on high alert. Urban local bodies were told to identify low-lying areas, position dewatering pumps and coordinate with district authorities. Multipurpose cyclone shelters were also identified for possible evacuations.
IMD’s bulletin warned that squally winds along the south Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh coasts could strengthen, with rough to very rough sea conditions. The agency advised fishermen to avoid affected waters during the warning period.
The meteorological system was forecast to cross the north Andhra Pradesh–south Odisha coast between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur near Kalingapatnam during the night of September 23 or early September 24. Because the system was still developing when the cited bulletins and reports were issued, residents should use the newest IMD and district updates for its position and local warnings.
What residents should monitor
Heavy rain can produce sharply different conditions over short distances. People in low-lying urban areas should watch for rapidly rising water and avoid flooded roads. In hilly districts, prolonged rain can raise the risk of landslides and falling debris. Thunderstorms also bring lightning risk even outside the heaviest rain bands.
Parents should follow district administration notices before sending children back to school after September 24, since closures can be extended if conditions worsen. Travellers should check road and rail advisories, while coastal communities should follow fishing and evacuation instructions from authorised agencies.
The most reliable sources for changing conditions are IMD bulletins, state disaster-management messages and district collector announcements. Social-media posts that use an unofficial cyclone name or make unverified landfall claims should not replace those updates.
