New Delhi, India | October 26, 2026 : India’s eastern coast is preparing for a potentially powerful cyclone as a weather system over the Bay of Bengal is forecast to intensify and approach the Andhra Pradesh coast on October 28. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall and strong winds in vulnerable areas, while Odisha has ordered schools, colleges and Anganwadi centres to remain closed in five districts on October 28 and 29.
The developing system could affect Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and neighbouring regions. Authorities are strengthening emergency preparations, mobilising response teams and advising residents in vulnerable coastal areas to follow official weather bulletins.
60-Second Brief: What You Need to Know
- Possible landfall: The IMD forecasts that the system could cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by the forenoon of October 28.
- Wind threat: Sustained winds could reach 115–125 km/h, with gusts up to 140 km/h, if the system develops as forecast.
- Odisha school closures: Schools, colleges and Anganwadi centres in Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri will remain closed on October 28 and 29.
- Red warning: Five southern Odisha districts face a red warning for extremely heavy rainfall on October 28.
- Emergency response: Odisha has cancelled leave for key officials and mobilised disaster-response teams.
- Other weather concerns: Rain and thunderstorms are forecast in several states, while recent storms in Haryana have damaged infrastructure and left large quantities of paddy wet in grain markets.
Cyclone Forecast: Andhra Pradesh Coast in Focus
The weather system over the east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal intensified into a deep depression, according to the IMD’s latest available coastal bulletins. It is forecast to strengthen further as it moves towards the west-central Bay of Bengal.
The system is expected to become a cyclonic storm and then intensify further before approaching the coast. The IMD forecast indicates a possible crossing between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, including the adjoining Yanam coast, around the morning of October 28.
The projected maximum sustained wind speed is 115–125 km/h, with gusts reaching 140 km/h. The actual track, intensity and local impact may change as the system develops, making updated IMD advisories particularly important.
Residents along the Andhra Pradesh coast and in adjoining areas should monitor local administration announcements, avoid unnecessary travel in exposed coastal locations and follow instructions issued by disaster-management authorities.
Odisha Closes Schools in Five Districts
The Odisha government has announced the closure of schools, colleges and Anganwadi centres in five districts on October 28 and 29 as a precaution against the expected heavy rain and strong winds.
The districts covered by the order are:
- Ganjam
- Gajapati
- Rayagada
- Koraput
- Malkangiri
District administrations elsewhere in Odisha may decide whether to close educational institutions based on local conditions and subsequent weather forecasts.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has reviewed the state’s preparedness and assigned ministers to oversee arrangements in vulnerable districts. The government has also cancelled leave for district collectors and other key officials, directing them to return to their headquarters and remain available for emergency coordination.
Odisha has mobilised teams from the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force, the National Disaster Response Force and the Fire Services. Authorities have been instructed to prepare shelters, arrange evacuations where necessary and ensure that essential services can be restored quickly if roads, electricity or water supplies are disrupted.
Red Alert for Heavy Rain in Southern Odisha
The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall across parts of Odisha as the system approaches the coast. A red warning has been reported for Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri for October 28, with isolated extremely heavy rainfall possible.
Heavy rain may lead to waterlogging, localised flooding, road disruption and interruptions to power supplies. Strong winds could also uproot trees or damage temporary structures.
Residents should avoid flooded roads and stay away from fallen power lines or damaged electricity poles. Fishermen should follow the official restrictions on venturing into the sea and any instructions to return to shore.
Rain Alerts Across Several States
The developing Bay of Bengal system, together with other weather disturbances, is expected to bring unsettled conditions to several parts of India. The most significant cyclone-related concern remains along the eastern coast, particularly in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
Rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds are possible in parts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Jharkhand, Bihar and West Bengal. Weather conditions may vary considerably between districts, so residents should check the latest regional forecasts rather than rely on a single nationwide list.
The IMD’s subdivision-wise warnings are updated as the system changes direction or intensity. A warning for heavy rain does not necessarily mean that every district in a state will experience the same conditions.
Haryana Farmers Face Paddy Losses After Rain and Hail
While the eastern coast prepares for the cyclone threat, farmers and traders in Haryana are dealing with damage caused by a separate spell of severe weather.
According to the supplied report, strong winds, rain and hail on Saturday night affected several districts, including Kaithal, Kurukshetra and Karnal. Fallen trees, damaged electricity poles and power disruptions added to the problems.
An estimated 332,000 metric tonnes of paddy, valued at approximately ₹810 crore, became wet after being left in the open at grain markets. The reported quantities included around 200,000 metric tonnes in Kaithal, 100,000 metric tonnes in Kurukshetra and 30,000 metric tonnes in Karnal.
At Karnal’s New Grain Market, water accumulated around sacks stored outside covered areas as delays in lifting the produce left it exposed to the rain.
The episode highlights the risks farmers face when harvested crops remain in open market yards during periods of unstable weather. Wet paddy can create additional handling, drying, storage and quality concerns, potentially increasing pressure on farmers and commission agents.
The reported ₹810 crore figure represents the estimated value of the affected paddy, not a confirmed assessment of final financial losses.
Snowfall Reported in Higher Himalayan Areas
The changing weather has also brought snowfall to higher elevations in Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand.
The supplied report says the Yamunotri shrine area in Uttarakhand experienced its first snowfall of the season, while Kedarnath saw its second snowfall. In Kashmir, tourist destinations including Pahalgam and Gulmarg recorded below-freezing nighttime temperatures for the first time this season.
Conditions at higher elevations can change rapidly. Travellers planning to visit mountain destinations should check local road, weather and safety advisories before setting out.
What Residents Should Do Now
As the Bay of Bengal system develops, residents in potentially affected regions should:
- Follow the latest IMD forecasts and district-level government advisories.
- Keep phones charged and essential medicines, drinking water and emergency supplies ready.
- Avoid beaches, exposed coastal areas and flooded roads during hazardous conditions.
- Follow evacuation instructions promptly if local authorities issue them.
- Keep children away from stormwater drains, fallen trees and damaged electrical infrastructure.
- Protect harvested crops and stored supplies where it is safe and practical to do so.
Parents in Odisha’s five affected districts should note that the announced educational-institution closures apply to October 28 and 29, not automatically to October 26. Any additional closures should be confirmed through the relevant district administration or school.
What Happens Next?
The next stage depends on the system’s movement and intensification over the Bay of Bengal. The IMD’s forecast points to a possible landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast on October 28, with heavy rainfall and strong winds potentially affecting neighbouring parts of Odisha and other states.
Forecasts may change as new observations become available. Residents should rely on the latest official bulletins for updated information on the cyclone’s track, rainfall, wind speeds and local precautions.
Bottom Line
The approaching Bay of Bengal system has prompted precautionary measures along India’s eastern coast, including school closures in five Odisha districts and the mobilisation of emergency teams. Andhra Pradesh faces the main projected landfall threat, while heavy rain may affect neighbouring states. With a separate spell of severe weather already damaging crops and infrastructure in Haryana, timely warnings and local preparedness will be crucial over the coming days.
