Cyclone Impact / Cyclone Arnab aftermath: Landslide, stranded workers, severe flooding disrupt life in Ganjam

Brahmapur, Oct 30: The aftermath of Cyclone Arnab has left several parts of Odisha's Ganjam district grappling with landslides, flooding and disruption to road connectivity. While five workers remain stranded in Purusottampur block, thousands of residents in Asika continue to remain surrounded by floodwater, sources said on Friday.

Landslide disrupts traffic near Taptapani Ghat
A landslide near Taptapani Ghat has raised concerns over commuter safety along National Highway-326. Rocks have fallen from the hillside, exposing parts of the mountain, while water nearly a foot deep continues to flow across the road.

The strong water current has made travel through the stretch difficult and potentially dangerous. Although Taptapani Ghat was reopened on Friday and traffic has resumed, commuters continue to face risks along the route.

Five workers stranded near Pratappur
In another incident, five workers have been stranded near Pratappur in Purushottampur block after floodwater suddenly surged while they were on their way to work on Thursday.

Unable to proceed, they took shelter at Baidhar Temple near Pratappur to save their lives. They have reportedly been without food since Thursday, while rescue teams have yet to reach them, a source informed.

After receiving information about the incident, relatives of the stranded workers arrived from Nayagada district and appealed to the administration to arrange their immediate rescue and provide food and drinking water.

Asika remains inundated, eight rescue teams deployed
Asika town continues to reel under severe flooding caused by incessant rainfall associated with Cyclone Arnab. Residents have remained surrounded by floodwater since Thursday.

Also Read: Cyclone Arnab aftermath: Over 1.5 lakh people marooned across eight blocks in Ganjam district

Water levels inside the town reached around 12 feet on Thursday. Although the situation has improved slightly, several areas still have six to seven feet of water. Thousands of residents remain affected, while several villages in Asika block are also inundated.

Eight teams have been deployed to evacuate residents and distribute cooked and dry food. Personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and local fire services are carrying out rescue operations and reaching affected residents.

The flooding has also caused extensive damage to paddy and vegetable crops, affecting agricultural activities across the region.