The eastern-coast state of Odisha has once again been placed under high alert as a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal intensifies into a depression, potentially developing into a cyclonic storm. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings of heavy to very heavy rainfall, gusty winds and rough sea conditions. In particular, the government and disaster-management authorities have issued critical advisories for fishing communities – telling all fishermen to stay ashore and avoid venturing into the sea until the system passes.
While landfall may or may not occur in Odisha itself, the coastal districts are expected to bear the brunt of rough seas, high waves, and strong winds. As the state mobilises relief supplies, opens temporary shelters, and monitors vulnerable districts, it is also emphasising the need for resilience among its citizens, especially those whose livelihoods depend on the sea.
In this article, we explore the meteorological situation, the warnings and advisories, the specific risks to fishermen, the preparations by the government and local authorities, historical context, and what fishermen and coastal communities should do to stay safe.
Meteorological Situation: What’s Going On?
According to recent bulletins, a well-marked low-pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal has concentrated into a depression, likely to intensify into a deep depression and possibly a cyclonic storm over the west-central/southwest Bay by late October.
The IMD forecasts heavy to very heavy rainfall across many districts of Odisha from approximately 27 to 29 October, with coastal and southern districts expected to be most affected. Gusty winds and rough seas are likely along the coastline.
Specifically, wind speeds along and off the Odisha coast are predicted to evolve from 35-45 km/h (with gusts up to ~55 km/h) initially, rising to 50-60 km/h (gusts up to ~70 km/h) by the time the system nears the coast. Rainfall intensities in some districts may reach “heavy to very heavy” category (i.e., potentially 64.5 mm to 204.4 mm in 24 hours, according to one bulletin).
The coastal waters are expected to be “rough to very rough” or even “high” in the next few days, impacting sea-based activities such as fishing, transport, and port operations.
Although it currently appears that Odisha may not receive a direct landfall, the outer effects of the storm (rain, wind, surge, rough seas) pose serious risk to coastal districts. The exact track and intensity may change, so authorities are monitoring closely.
Alerts, Warnings & Advisories
Yellow & Orange Alerts
The IMD has issued tier-based alerts: “yellow” (be aware) and “orange” (be prepared) for various districts in Odisha. For example, the districts of Ganjam, Gajapati and Rayagada are already under orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall, while many others are under yellow alert.
Earlier bulletins indicated thunderstorm with lightning, gusty winds of 30-40 km/h and heavy rain across multiple coastal and interior districts.
Advisories for Fishermen & Sea-based Activities
One of the strongest advisories is aimed at fishermen and fishing‐boat operators: they are being urged not to venture into the sea along and off Odisha’s coast from about 26 October onwards, and at least until 29 October. The rough sea conditions, gusty winds, and storm surge potential make offshore and near-shore fishing extremely hazardous.
Coastal residents and public are also advised to stay away from the shore, avoid beach-walking or staying on jetties, and follow updates from local authorities. Shelters and relief preparedness are being activated in vulnerable zones.
Government Preparations
The Odisha government, via the Revenue & Disaster Management Minister, has stated that all departments (health, water resources, energy, disaster management) are on alert. District collectors have been instructed to remain vigilant, mobilise relief supplies, open evacuation centres if necessary, coordinate with meteorological updates and ensure vulnerable populations are moved to safer locations.
Why Fishermen Are Especially at Risk
Fishing communities represent one of the most exposed populations during cyclonic and monsoon‐related systems. The reasons include:
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Offshore exposure: Fishing boats operate in open seas, which become very rough during storm systems. High waves, strong winds, sudden squalls, and limited visibility pose major hazards.
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Small craft vulnerability: Many fishing vessels are small and may not have the structural strength, stability or equipment (navigation, radio, emergency gear) to withstand sudden storm changes.
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Shore‐based operations: Even when docked or in near‐shore waters, high wind gusts, surge, and sea-spray can damage equipment, moorings, and infrastructure.
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Timing of storms: Storm systems often rapidly intensify with little warning for some players; fishermen may be at sea when conditions deteriorate.
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Economic imperative: Many fishermen venture out due to economic needs, and may weigh risk vs earning. Advisories to stay ashore can hit livelihoods, creating pressure to take risk.
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Communication & warning dissemination: In remote areas, timely communication of weather warnings and the decision to get back to shore is a critical factor. Delays or lack of awareness can cost lives.
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Evacuation and sheltering challenges: Once caught in bad sea conditions, rescue and shelter options may be limited – leading to higher casualty risk.
In the current scenario in Odisha, with seas expected to become “very rough to high”, gusty winds increasing, and the system intensifying, fishermen who venture into the sea could encounter dangerous conditions including high waves, squalls, and sudden shifts in wind direction. The advisories for fishing boats to return immediately are therefore critically important.
Coastal Districts & Vulnerable Zones
While the entire coast of Odisha is alert, some districts are more vulnerable than others due to geography, previous experience, and exposure. Coastal districts like Ganjam, Gajapati, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Cuttack, Khurda and others are under close watch.
Interior districts that face risks of heavy rain, river swelling, landslides or flash‐flooding (like Kandhamal, Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur) have also been included in the alert system. While their risk differs from the coastal hazard profile, in a cyclonic scenario the inland rainfall and river/valley dynamics become relevant.
For fishermen specifically, the sea route north and south of the coast, and the offshore zones of the Bay pose major hazards. The state’s fishers and marine operations must exercise caution from the onset of the alert period.
Government & Community Preparations
Mobilising Relief and Resources
The Odisha government has mobilised relief supplies, prepared evacuation centres, instructed district administrations to remain alert and activated disaster‐management protocols.
Health, electricity, water and other essential services are on standby, and local administrations have been directed to coordinate with the meteorological centre around evolving weather bulletins. Some local transport and sea operations may be suspended if the system intensifies.
Sea Patrols & Fishermen Warnings
Coast Guard, fisheries department, local harbour authorities and port agencies have issued warnings to fishermen: to return to shore immediately, avoid setting out from harbour, anchor their boats securely, and monitor weather updates. This kind of coordination aims to reduce risk of boats being out at sea when conditions deteriorate.
Community Awareness & Shelter Readiness
Communities along the coast are being informed of potential inundation, wave surge risk (especially in low-lying areas), need for raising reeds/boats, and sheltering. Schools, public buildings and other facilities may be repurposed as emergency shelters if required. District administrations have been asked to urge communities to avoid going out during peak storm periods.
Historical Experience & Learning
Odisha has a long history of cyclonic storms and coastal disasters. Over the years, protocols have improved significantly – early warning systems, evacuation infrastructure, community drills and faster communication. This baseline of preparedness helps, though each system has its unique challenges. Learning from past events, authorities emphasise that “preparation beats panic”.
What Fishermen Should Do: Checklist for Safety
Here is a practical safety checklist for fishermen and coastal communities to follow in the current alert scenario:
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Heed the warning early: Once the alert is issued, do not delay return to harbour or shore.
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Do not set out to sea once advisories are in place. Rough seas and gusty winds can overwhelm even experienced crew.
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Secure your boat or craft: If already docked or in port, ensure proper mooring, anchor holding, and remove loose equipment.
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Check equipment: Navigation systems, radios, life jackets, emergency supplies (food, water, signalling equipment) should be verified.
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Monitor weather bulletins: Use mobile alerts, local radio, community announcements. Meteorological conditions can change rapidly.
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Communicate your position: If already at sea, inform harbour authorities or local fisheries department of your location and plan.
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Avoid near-shore surfing zones or exposed jetties: High waves, storm surge and spray can pose risk even in shallow water zones.
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Avoid fishing in un-monitored zones: Off-shore fishing during warning periods is highly risky.
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Evacuation readiness: Know the safest route to shore shelters and hold emergency drills with crew/family.
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Post-storm caution: Even after the system passes, seas may remain rough and currents strong; avoid going out until official “all clear” is given.
By following these steps, fishermen can significantly reduce risk to life, vessel and gear during the cyclone alert period.
Impact on Fisheries, Livelihood & Economy
The advisory to remain ashore means potential loss of fishing days, which for many small-scale fishers translates into loss of income. Extended rough sea conditions may delay the start of fishing operations, impact supply chains, and result in gear damage (nets, boats, engines).
Moreover, if boats or harbours are damaged by storm surge or wind, the recovery cost for fishing communities can be substantial. A strong storm can disrupt coastal markets, cold‐storage systems, and transport, thereby affecting downstream supply and pricing.
The government often links the fisheries department, relief funds and credit institutions to provide support but short-term loss of livelihood remains a concern. Local cooperatives, fishermen’s unions and NGOs may need to step up to provide economic support or alternative employment during the shut-down period.
Historical Context: Why Odisha is Vulnerable
Odisha’s coastline has long been vulnerable to tropical storms and cyclones emerging from the Bay of Bengal. Past events have repeatedly shown that coastal and marine operations need robust early-warning systems. For example:
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2022 Odisha floods triggered by heavy monsoon/rain led to massive flooding, and advisories warned fishermen not to venture into sea.
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Cyclone Hudhud (2014) affected Odisha’s coast with strong winds and heavy rainfall, disrupting marine operations and causing casualties.
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Cyclone Titli (2018) caused heavy rainfall in Odisha and warranted evacuation of thousands.
These events underline how even if landfall happens elsewhere, the outer bands of a cyclonic system or a deep depression can still severely affect coastal states such as Odisha – through rain, wind, surge and seas. Over time, the state has enhanced the capacity of its disaster management authority (Odisha State Disaster Management Authority or OSDMA), built cyclone shelters and improved evacuation protocols. But challenges remain – especially for marine and fishing communities that operate at the interface of sea and weather.
What Happens Next: Outlook & What to Expect
As of now, the situation remains dynamic. The IMD is watching the system’s movement, intensity, and track closely. Some of the key things to monitor in the next 24-48 hours include:
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Whether the depression intensifies into a cyclonic storm or higher category, and how fast.
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The movement track: whether it shifts closer to Odisha’s coast or skews toward Andhra Pradesh/Tamil Nadu.
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The behaviour of sea conditions: whether rough seas escalate into high seas, potential for storm surge or coastal inundation.
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Rainfall accumulation: districts receiving heavy rain may witness water-logging, river/stream swelling or even small landslides in hilly patches.
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Post-storm recovery: once the system passes, how fast the authorities open sea operations again; how harbour infrastructure and fishing fleets recover.
For fishermen and fishing communities, the next 48-72 hours are crucial: no fishing operations should be attempted; harbour and craft should be secured; and waiting until the all-clear is given by authorities is vital.
Challenges & Key Considerations
Communication & Timely Warnings
Even though early warning systems exist, ensuring that remote fishing hamlets, offshore vessels and community groups get timely alerts is a logistic challenge. Mobile connectivity, language barriers, or local power outages can hamper the flow of warning messages.
Economic Resilience
When fishing operations are suspended, even for a few days, income loss is real. Ensuring that fishermen have access to relief packages, credit support, and alternative livelihood options (temporary labour, processing work) should be part of the planning.
Infrastructure & Harbour Security
Small fishing harbours and jetties often lack strong break-waters, secure mooring systems, and safe storage for gear. Upgrading these will help reduce damage in storm events.
Environmental & Climate Trends
Climate change is making tropical systems more unpredictable, intense and possibly more frequent. Coastal states like Odisha need to factor in longer term resilience – sea-wall upgrades, better forecasting, real-time marine tracking for fishing vessels, and community drills for evacuation.
Post-Storm Recovery
After the system passes, quick restoration of harbour operations, marine communications, power supply, and fishing supply chains matter. If operations remain suspended for long, the economic impact deepens.
How Coastal Communities Can Build Resilience
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Community drills and training: Regular training sessions for fishing communities on what to do when a storm alert comes (return to shore, secure boats, evacuate if needed).
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Emergency kits & checklists: Equip households and boat-crews with storm-specific checklists, first-aid kits, emergency signalling devices.
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Insurance & micro-credit: Encourage uptake of fishing-craft insurance schemes, micro-loans for gear repair, and savings cushions.
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Local monitoring and buddy-systems: Fishermen operating offshore should coordinate with shore-based contact, update their location, and have return plans.
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Infrastructure upgrades: Stronger jetties, moorings, raised storage for nets, early warning sirens or loudspeakers at coast.
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Diversified livelihoods: Encourage fishers to diversify (processing, aquaculture, repair services) so that when weather halts fishing, income does not completely stop.
The Human Angle: Stories from the Ground
While bulletins and advisories are being issued, the human side of this alert is important. Imagine a small fishing village on the Odisha coast: boats are tied at the harbour, nets are wound up earlier than usual, families wait anxiously while checking weather updates, and the worry that a storm might wipe out gear or delay fishing days looms large.
For a fisherman, the decision to stay ashore isn’t just about safety—it’s about not earning, not catching fish, not bringing home the catch. The emotional stress, the fear of losing a boat or gear, the risk of being caught offshore in rough seas—all of that is real.
The authorities’ frequent advice to “stay ashore” or “avoid venturing out” is sound, but for many fishers it means “I won’t fish for a few days” which can be a big hit on livelihood. The balancing act between risk and reward is harsh.
In times like this, community solidarity, fisher cooperatives, local support networks and government relief packages become lifelines. The state’s early-warning and disaster preparedness is only one part; the socio-economic support to absorb the downtime is equally critical.
