A deep depression over the Bay of Bengal is moving toward the north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts, bringing the possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall, strong winds and rough sea conditions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has been closely monitoring the system and has warned of difficult weather conditions along parts of the eastern coast.
According to the latest IMD coastal weather bulletins, the system was located over the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal and was moving west-northwestwards. The weather system is expected to cross the north Andhra Pradesh–south Odisha coast between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur during the night of September 23.
What Is Happening Over the Bay of Bengal?
The system began as a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal and subsequently intensified into a depression before becoming a deep depression.
The distinction is important because a deep depression is not the same as a cyclone. Under the IMD classification, a system can intensify further into a cyclonic storm if wind speeds and other conditions meet the required criteria. However, the current official forecast identifies the system as a deep depression.
The main immediate concern is therefore not the use of the word “cyclone”, but the combination of heavy rainfall, strong winds, rough seas and the possibility of local flooding in affected areas.
Where Is the System Expected to Move?
The IMD expects the system to continue moving west-northwestwards toward the eastern coast.
Its projected crossing zone is between Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh and Gopalpur in Odisha, with the system expected to cross the coast during the night of September 23.
This puts coastal districts in both states under close weather watch.
The latest IMD bulletin for the Odisha coast warned of rain or thundershowers at most places, with heavy to very heavy rainfall possible at some locations. The sea was also described as very rough to high along parts of the south Odisha coast.
On the north Andhra coast, the IMD forecast widespread rain with isolated heavy rainfall, along with squally winds and rough to very rough sea conditions during periods of bad weather.
Why Is Heavy Rain the Bigger Concern?
For residents, one of the most important effects of the system is likely to be rainfall rather than the technical classification of the weather system.
Heavy rainfall over a short period can create several problems, including waterlogging, flooding of low-lying areas, disruption to road transport and difficulties for people living near rivers or vulnerable coastal zones.
The risk can become greater when rainfall continues for several hours because drainage systems may struggle to handle large volumes of water.
The IMD has separately forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall, with isolated extremely heavy rainfall, over parts of Chhattisgarh, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Telangana on September 23.
Strong Winds and Sea Conditions
The weather system is also creating difficult marine conditions.
The IMD coastal bulletin for south Odisha indicated cyclonic winds of around 30–35 knots, with gusts reaching 45 knots. It also described sea conditions as very rough to high.
For north Andhra Pradesh, squally winds of 25–30 knots, gusting up to 40 knots, were forecast in the bulletin issued for the region.
Because of these conditions, the IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea in the affected coastal areas.
Is This Going to Become Cyclone Arnab?
There has been discussion online about the possible name “Arnab”. The name belongs to the regional list of names for North Indian Ocean cyclonic storms.
However, it is important not to confuse a possible future cyclone classification with the current official status.
The IMD’s forecast currently describes the system as a deep depression and expects it to cross the coast as a deep depression. Reports citing the weather department have also noted that the system was not currently being forecast as a cyclonic storm.
Therefore, readers should rely on the latest IMD updates rather than social-media posts suggesting that a cyclone has already formed.
What Should People in the Affected Areas Do?
People living in coastal Odisha and Andhra Pradesh should follow official weather and local administration advisories, particularly if they live in low-lying or flood-prone areas.
Residents should avoid unnecessary travel during periods of intense rainfall, stay away from flooded roads and water bodies, and remain alert to local warnings.
Fishermen and small boat operators should follow the IMD’s marine warnings and avoid entering the sea while dangerous conditions persist.
The Bigger Picture
The Bay of Bengal regularly produces low-pressure systems and depressions during the monsoon and post-monsoon transition periods. Not every depression becomes a cyclone, but even a system that remains below cyclone intensity can produce dangerous rainfall and winds.
For Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, the immediate issue is therefore the expected combination of heavy rain, strong winds and rough seas as the deep depression approaches the coast.
The situation can change as the system moves inland. Weather agencies and local authorities are expected to continue updating their warnings as new observations become available.
For now, the most important message is simple: the system is officially a deep depression, not a confirmed cyclone, and coastal areas of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh should remain alert as it approaches the coast.
This article is based on the latest available IMD weather bulletins and reports available on September 23, 2026. Weather forecasts can change as the system moves, so readers should check the latest official advisories before making travel or safety decisions.
