Odisha mobilises personnel, orders evacuations as state braces for very severe cyclone

A very severe cyclonic storm is a high-intensity tropical cyclone category used by the India Meteorological Department. It is classified by maximum sustained wind speed. It matters because stronger winds create greater risks for people, buildings, transport, power and coastal areas.

The categories rise in stages. A depression has sustained winds of about 31–49 kmph. A cyclonic storm reaches 62–88 kmph, while a severe cyclonic storm reaches 89–117 kmph. A very severe cyclonic storm reaches 118–166 kmph. The article describes the system strengthening through these stages.

The IMD forecast says the depression would become a deep depression, then a cyclonic storm, a severe cyclonic storm and finally a very severe cyclonic storm. Its expected sustained winds are 115–125 kmph, with some values entering the very severe category. The classification may change as observations improve.

The storm’s forecast path begins over the east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal. On October 25, the depression was nearly stationary. The IMD expected it to move nearly southwards first, strengthen into a deep depression, and then turn west-northwestwards.

The system was forecast to become a cyclonic storm by the morning of October 26. It was expected to become a severe cyclonic storm around the morning of October 27 over the west-central Bay of Bengal. After that, it would move northwestwards and intensify further.

The IMD expected the system to reach the west-central Bay of Bengal near the Andhra Pradesh coast around the morning of October 28. It was forecast to cross between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam as a very severe cyclonic storm. The exact effects can still depend on later forecasts.

Wind speed is a key measure of a cyclone’s intensity. Sustained wind describes the storm’s continuing wind strength, while gusts are shorter bursts that can be substantially stronger. Both matter because they can damage structures, uproot trees, disrupt electricity and make travel dangerous.

The IMD forecast gives the storm maximum sustained winds of 115–125 kmph. It also warns that gusts could reach 140 kmph. These figures place the system near or within the very severe cyclonic storm range under the IMD’s classification.

The forecast is especially important for coastal Andhra Pradesh and nearby parts of Odisha. Odisha’s government has ordered preparedness, evacuation and emergency deployments despite the forecast landfall being in Andhra Pradesh. Wind, rain and thunderstorms can affect areas beyond the precise landfall point, so officials are planning for wider impacts.

Odisha is expected to face several hazards as the system approaches. The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall across the state from October 27 to 29. Thunderstorms, lightning and gusty surface winds could accompany the rain, raising risks for people, roads, homes, agriculture and public services.

The five districts under a red warning are Ganjam, Gajapati, Koraput, Rayagada and Malkangiri. All five border Andhra Pradesh. The forecast also specifies gusty surface winds of 60–70 kmph across affected parts of Odisha.

A red warning signals the need for urgent action by authorities and the public. Odisha is therefore moving people to safer locations and placing response teams in vulnerable areas. The risks may continue through October 29, even though the storm’s forecast crossing is on the Andhra Pradesh coast.

Odisha is preparing because a storm’s effects are not limited to its exact landfall point. The IMD expects heavy to very heavy rain across Odisha, along with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds. Five districts bordering Andhra Pradesh are under a red warning from October 27.

The state government has directed officials to evacuate people from vulnerable areas to safer locations. It has also deployed ODRAF and NDRF teams, while Fire Services teams remain on high alert. These actions are designed to support rescue, relief and emergency response if conditions worsen.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said Odisha would take no chances, although the forecast landfall is in Andhra Pradesh. He directed officials to prioritise public safety, evacuation and emergency response. The government’s stated objective is zero casualties, so administrative readiness began before the storm’s expected arrival.

Odisha’s emergency response combines specialist disaster teams with the state’s Fire Services. The government is preparing for heavy rain, strong winds, thunderstorms and lightning across the state. Early deployment matters because teams can reach vulnerable locations faster and support evacuations, rescues and emergency relief.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said around 60 ODRAF teams and 17 NDRF teams had been deployed. ODRAF is the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force, while NDRF teams provide national disaster-response support. The state also placed 225 Fire Services teams on high alert.

Together, those figures represent around 302 teams deployed or on alert, counting the categories separately. The government also ordered senior officials to remain at headquarters and cancelled some officers’ leave. These steps are intended to keep administration functioning as rainfall and storm impacts develop from October 27 onward.

Tropical cyclones generally form when a weather disturbance lies over sufficiently warm ocean water. Warm water adds moisture and heat to rising air. As that air rises and pressure falls near the surface, surrounding air flows inward and begins rotating. If the circulation becomes organised and the atmosphere supports it, the system can intensify.

Strength can change when ocean heat, moisture, wind patterns and the storm’s internal structure change. Direction is mainly influenced by larger atmospheric steering winds. That is why a storm can pause, turn or accelerate before reaching land. Land interaction, dry air and cooler water can weaken it.

The article gives a clear forecast sequence. The depression was nearly stationary on October 25, then was expected to move southwards, recurve west-northwestwards and later move northwestwards. It was forecast to intensify from depression to very severe cyclonic storm before reaching Andhra Pradesh.