Bhubaneswar, October 26, 2026: The Odisha government has announced that schools, colleges and Anganwadi centres in five southern districts will remain closed on October 28 and 29 as a precaution against heavy rain expected from a developing Bay of Bengal system. The order applies to Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri districts.
District collectors to assess other areas
According to the Chief Minister’s Office, district collectors in other areas will decide whether to declare educational-institution holidays after assessing local conditions. The government has directed departments to remain alert and prepare for potential flooding, strong winds and disruption to essential services.
Rescue teams and medical preparations
The state government said 302 rescue teams had been kept ready. News reports detail the deployment as 60 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force teams, 17 National Disaster Response Force teams and 225 Fire Services teams. Authorities have also been instructed to identify vulnerable locations, prepare shelters, move people from low-lying areas when necessary and ensure pregnant women and patients can reach health facilities.
What IMD forecasts
The latest IMD tropical weather outlook available at the time of publication forecast the deep depression to intensify into a cyclonic storm on October 26, strengthen further around October 27 and potentially approach or cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam around October 28. The forecast also indicated heavy to very heavy rain in parts of southern Odisha. The track, intensity and timing remain subject to change as new bulletins are issued.
Advice for families
Families in the five named districts should plan around the announced October 28–29 closure and watch for further notices from their district collector or school. People in other districts should not assume their schools are closed unless a local authority issues an order. Residents in vulnerable coastal or low-lying areas should follow evacuation and safety instructions from the administration.
Official sources: Chief Minister of Odisha — cyclone preparedness and school-closure order; India Meteorological Department — cyclone bulletins; IMD Special Tropical Weather Outlook dated October 25; The Indian Express — preparedness details.
The school closure dates are based on the Odisha Chief Minister’s Office notice dated October 24. Weather forecasts are subject to change; check official district advisories for the latest information.
