Odisha, Andhra Pradesh weather LIVE: Deep depression to weaken in a few hours, says IMD; rain lashes AP, Odisha | India News

Odisha, Andhra Pradesh weather LIVE: The IMD said in its latest update that the deep depression over north coastal Andhra Pradesh moved northwestwards with a speed of 7 kmph during past six hours and lay centred over north coastal Andhra Pradesh and adjoining south Odisha, about 70 km west-northwest of Kalingapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), 80 km south-southeast of Rayagada (Odisha), 90 km east-southeast of Koraput (Odisha) and 170 kmeast-southeast of Jagdalpur (Chhattisgarh).The weather department said it is very likely to move north-northwestwards and weaken gradually into a depression around the evening on Thursday. Thereafter, it is very likely to continue moving north-northwestward and weaken gradually over the subsequent 24 hours, it added.If it were to become a Cyclonic Storm before hitting land, it would be called “Arnab,” which means “ocean” in Bengali.Red alert in Odisha, Andhra PradeshThe IMD has issued a red alert for parts of southern Odisha, warning of extremely heavy rainfall. Koraput, Gajapati and Ganjam are expected to receive heavy to very heavy showers, with extremely heavy rain possible at isolated places on September 23-24.Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Koraput and Malkangiri are also expected to see downpour on September 24-25. Thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes, and schools are closed in anticipation of extreme rains, flash floods, and coastal winds.Andhra Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the situation and directed district collectors and officials to be alert in view of the inclement weather and to ensure that people living in areas vulnerable to sudden floods and heavy rains are alerted.Odisha is expected to be among the worst-affected states, with very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall forecast in several districts. Andhra Pradesh is also preparing for heavy rains.