Weather Alert / Cyclone Arnab Alert: Gajapati, Rayagada Ramp up Preparedness, Ganjam Farmers on Edge

Bhubaneswar, Oct 26: With Cyclone Arnab intensifying over the Bay of Bengal, district administrations across southern Odisha have stepped up preparedness measures, while farmers in several areas fear significant crop losses amid forecasts of heavy rainfall and strong winds.

In Gajapati district, preparations to tackle the possible impact of the cyclone have reached the final stage. State-appointed nodal officer and senior IAS officer Vijay Dash arrived in the district to review preparedness measures and held discussions with emergency management officials.

Given the risk of landslides in the hilly blocks of Mohana, R Udayagiri, Rayagada, Gumma and Nuagada, authorities have decided to deploy ODRAF teams in vulnerable areas.

Also read: Cyclone Arnab Nears Coastline, Positioned 610 Km off Gopalpur

Of the six ODRAF teams allocated to the district, three have already been stationed at Mohana, R Udayagiri and Rayagada blocks, while the remaining teams will be deployed upon arrival. An NDRF team has also been positioned and will be mobilised wherever required, officials said.

Farmers Concerned

Meanwhile, anxiety is mounting among farmers in Ganjam district's Aska region. Many cultivators are still recovering from recent spells of heavy rain that left agricultural lands waterlogged for several days.

With paddy crops entering the crucial grain-filling stage, farmers fear fresh rainfall could severely affect yields and damage vegetable cultivation.

Having invested heavily through loans and months of hard work, farmers are worried that another extreme weather event could wipe out their standing crops.

The cyclone, currently over the Bay of Bengal, is expected to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm before making landfall between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam on October 28, bringing the possibility of heavy rain across parts of Odisha.

Rayagada’s Extensive Preparedness  

Rayagada district administration has also activated extensive preparedness measures under its zero-casualty strategy. District Collector Ashutosh Kulkarni said one NDRF team, seven ODRAF teams and eleven fire service units have been deployed for emergency response.

Authorities have identified 148 vulnerable villages and prepared three permanent and 131 temporary shelters. Around 60 pregnant women have already been shifted to healthcare facilities and maternity centres as a precaution.

Officials have also identified 11 landslide-prone locations and instructed field-level officers to closely monitor the situation.