Cyclone / Cyclone Arnab: Odisha Achieves Zero Casualty Goal, CM Majhi Reviews Situation at SRC Control Room

Bhubaneswar, Oct 28: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday reviewed the impact and management of Cyclone Arnab at the Special Relief Commissioner’s (SRC) Control Room and said the State had achieved its goal of ensuring zero casualties despite heavy rainfall and adverse weather conditions in several districts.

Addressing the media after the review, the Chief Minister said no loss of life had been reported so far and attributed the success to extensive preparedness measures and coordinated disaster management efforts.

Extensive Preparedness

The Chief Minister said Union Home Minister Amit Shah had remained in constant touch with the State government before and during the cyclone, discussing preparedness and response measures. Odisha was also in communication with the Andhra Pradesh government regarding the evolving situation.

Prior to the review meeting, SRC Rajesh Prabhakar Patil briefed the Chief Minister on the cyclone's trajectory and its impact on Odisha. The Chief Minister also spoke over telephone with Deputy Chief Ministers and Ministers assigned to monitor affected districts.

Heavy Rainfall Recorded

According to the Chief Minister, 17 blocks in the State received more than 105 mm of rainfall. Koraput's Patangi recorded the highest rainfall of 188 mm, followed by Mohana in Gajapati district with 182.4 mm. Gajapati was among the worst-affected districts due to incessant rain.

To manage the cyclone and its aftermath, the government deployed 313 response teams, including 60 ODRAF teams, nine NDRF teams and 244 Fire Services teams.

Evacuation and Relief

The State government shifted 43,827 people to safety across 634 shelters in eight affected districts - Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Kalahandi, Ganjam, Gajapati and Nuapada.

Relief camps have been supplied with cooked food, dry rations, drinking water, medicines and other essential items.

The Chief Minister further informed that 2,245 pregnant women had been shifted to nearby healthcare facilities, while 931 babies were safely delivered during the period.
Also Read: Winter Session of Odisha Assembly To Begin on November 18

Fishermen Brought Back Safely

The government also ensured the safe return of fishermen from the sea. A total of 19,143 fishing boats operating along the coast from Ganjam to Balasore returned safely to shore.

While expressing satisfaction with the response efforts, the Chief Minister said the administration continued to monitor the situation, particularly in low-lying areas vulnerable to waterlogging, and had directed authorities to deploy adequate pumps for water drainage wherever required.

The review meeting was attended by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, Additional Chief Secretary Arvind Padhee and senior officials of the SRC office.