VISAKHAPATNAM/BHUBANESWAR: Heavy rain lashed parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh and Odisha on Wednesday as a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal moved towards the coast, prompting authorities to shut schools, cancel employees’ leave and deploy disaster-response teams in vulnerable areas.Deep depression moves towards Andhra-Odisha coastThe IMD ruled out the system intensifying into Cyclone Arnab, saying it was likely to cross the coast as a deep depression.The deep depression over the westcentral and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal moved westwards at 12 kmph in the six hours up to 5.30am on Wednesday. It was centred near latitude 18.0°N and longitude 84.7°E, about 70 km east-southeast of Kalingapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, 150 km south of Gopalpur in Odisha, 230 km south-southwest of Puri and 150 km east-northeast of Visakhapatnam.The system is very likely to move west-northwestwards and cross the North Andhra Pradesh-South Odisha coasts between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur, close to Kalingapatnam, as a deep depression by Wednesday night.Schools shut in 6 Andhra districtsIn Andhra Pradesh, schools were shut in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Parvathipuram Manyam, Visakhapatnam, Alluri Sitharama Raju and Anakapalle districts on September 23. Anganwadi centres were also closed, while employees’ leave was cancelled and teams deployed in vulnerable areas.Parts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, Anakapalle, Alluri Sitharama Raju, Parvathipuram Manyam, Konaseema, Kakinada, West Godavari, East Godavari and Eluru were likely to receive heavy rainfall on Wednesday.75 kmph squalls likely along Andhra-Odisha coastsSqualls with winds gusting up to 75 kmph are likely along and off the North Andhra Pradesh and South Odisha coasts from the morning of September 23 to the evening of September 24. Winds of 45-55 kmph, gusting to 65 kmph, are also likely along and off the South Andhra Pradesh coast from September 23 to 24.The government deployed State Disaster Response Force teams to tackle the rain and flood situation in parts of north coastal Andhra Pradesh.Odisha’s Gajapati shuts tourist spots, waterfallsThe Gajapati district administration shut major tourist attractions and waterfalls to visitors because of heavy rain. The restriction will remain in place until further orders, district tourist officer H Sangram said.The affected tourist spots include Mahendragiri, BN Palace, Paralakhemundi and nine waterfalls — Gandahati and Budubuda in Rayagada block; Khasada and Bramhanadei in Mohana block; Mankadadian and Lingadhara in R Udayagiri block; and Kinchilingi and Purigumi in Nuagada and Kashinagar blocks respectively.Odisha’s Malkangiri schools, Anganwadi centres shut for 2 daysAll government, aided and private schools and Anganwadi centres in Malkangiri district will remain closed from September 24 to 25.11 Odisha districts put on high alertOdisha chief secretary Anu Garg said collectors of 11 districts had been put on high alert after the IMD warned of heavy to very heavy rain in southern and coastal parts of the state.Cyclone and flood shelters have been kept ready, with authorities preparing for waterlogging, urban flooding, landslides and mudslides.Government employees’ leave has been cancelled in Ganjam, Koraput and Kalahandi. Teachers in Koraput and Kalahandi have been directed not to leave their places of posting until September 25.Vehicular movement has been restricted on some roads, including Kalinga Ghat between Ganjam and Kandhamal. Ferry services between Satapada and Jahnikuda in Chilika Lake will remain suspended until September 25.Red alert issued for southern OdishaThe IMD has issued a red alert for parts of southern Odisha from September 23 to 25. Koraput, Gajapati and Ganjam are likely to receive heavy to very heavy rain, with extremely heavy rain at isolated places, on September 23 and 24.Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Koraput and Malkangiri are under red alert for September 24 and 25. Rainfall is expected to continue in parts of the state until September 25.Squalls with winds gusting up to 75 kmph are also likely along and off the South Odisha-North Andhra Pradesh coasts from the morning of September 23 to the evening of September 24.
