Odisha CM Majhi reviews Bay of Bengal deep depression, orders zero casualty
Synopsis
Odisha is on high alert as a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal brings heavy rain to southern districts. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has deployed 33 ODRAF teams, hoisted coastal warning signals, and invoked the state's standing 'zero casualty' policy — even as officials rule out a cyclone threat.
Key Takeaways
Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi chaired a flood-preparedness review on 23 September in Bhubaneswar .
33 ODRAF teams deployed across vulnerable districts; 9 reserve teams on standby in Chhatrapur, Ganjam .
Heavy rainfall expected on Wednesday and Thursday ; situation likely to improve after 25 September .
Local Warning Signal No.
3 hoisted at all Odisha ports; ban on fishermen going to sea remains in force.
Priority districts: Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, and Kalahandi .
Officials confirm no cyclone risk , but maximum precautionary preparedness has been ordered.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday, 23 September 2026, convened a high-level review meeting in Bhubaneswar to assess the state's readiness against heavy rainfall triggered by a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal, with southern Odisha districts on high alert. The Chief Minister issued a firm directive for a 'zero casualty' approach across all departments.
Key Developments from the Review Meeting
Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil briefed Chief Minister Majhi in detail on the depression's trajectory, expected rainfall intensity, and ongoing government measures. Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari, Chief Secretary Anu Garg, and other senior officials attended the meeting.
'In all natural disasters, our sole policy is zero casualty. Therefore, all concerned departments of the state government need to coordinate with district administrations and deal with the situation,' Chief Minister Majhi said. He stressed giving top priority to the safety of lives and property.
Deployment and Preparedness on the Ground
A total of 33 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams have been deployed across vulnerable districts. The district-wise breakdown stands at six teams each in Ganjam and Koraput, three each in Gajapati, Malkangiri, and Rayagada, two in Kalahandi, and one in Balangir. An additional nine reserve teams from the ODRAF unit based in Chhatrapur, Ganjam, are on standby.
Officials have confirmed that heavy rainfall is likely on Wednesday and Thursday, with conditions expected to improve after 25 September. The Chief Minister directed authorities to evacuate residents from waterlogged areas and ensure adequate relief at safer locations.
Coastal Alert and Fishermen's Ban
With rough seas forecast along the Odisha coast, Local Warning Signal No. 3 has been hoisted at all ports. The ban on fishermen venturing into the sea remains firmly in force, and district administrations have been asked to ensure full compliance.
Notably, officials clarified that there is no possibility of the depression developing into a cyclone, though the state has been advised to maintain the highest level of precautionary preparedness regardless.
Districts Under Watch
The districts accorded the highest priority are Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, and Kalahandi. The Revenue Department has also placed Nuapada, Balangir, Kandhamal, Puri, Khordha, and Nayagarh on elevated alert.
State and district officials are monitoring rainfall, waterlogging, emergency shelters, electricity, drinking water supply, rescue team deployment, and reservoir storage levels in real time. The situation is expected to be closely watched through the weekend as weather conditions gradually ease.
Point of View
But its credibility rests entirely on execution in the hours immediately after a warning is issued. The deployment of 33 ODRAF teams and real-time reservoir monitoring signal institutional readiness, yet the concentration of teams in coastal Ganjam and Koraput leaves inland districts like Nabarangpur with thinner cover. Critically, the absence of a cyclone threat this time removes the highest-risk scenario, but riverine flooding from sustained depression rainfall — historically responsible for the bulk of Odisha's storm-related fatalities — demands the same granular district-level response. Whether the 'zero casualty' target translates into verified outcomes, rather than remaining a headline directive, will define how this government's disaster record is written.
NationPress
23 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deep depression over the Bay of Bengal affecting Odisha?
A deep depression has formed over the Bay of Bengal, triggering heavy rainfall across southern Odisha districts. Officials have confirmed there is no risk of it intensifying into a cyclone, but significant rainfall is expected on 23 and 24 September, with conditions improving after 25 September.
Which districts in Odisha are most at risk from the deep depression?
The highest-priority districts are Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, and Kalahandi. The Revenue Department has also placed Nuapada, Balangir, Kandhamal, Puri, Khordha, and Nayagarh on elevated alert.
How many ODRAF teams have been deployed and where?
A total of 33 ODRAF teams have been deployed — six each in Ganjam and Koraput, three each in Gajapati, Malkangiri, and Rayagada, two in Kalahandi, and one in Balangir. Nine additional reserve teams are stationed at Chhatrapur in Ganjam.
What is Odisha's 'zero casualty' policy in natural disasters?
The 'zero casualty' policy is the Odisha government's standing directive to prevent any loss of life during natural calamities through pre-emptive evacuation, real-time monitoring, and multi-department coordination. Chief Minister Majhi reaffirmed this policy at the 23 September review meeting.
Are fishermen allowed to go to sea amid the deep depression?
No. The ban on fishermen venturing into the sea is currently in force due to rough sea conditions. Local Warning Signal No. 3 has been hoisted at all Odisha ports, and district administrations have been instructed to ensure strict compliance.
