Cyclone Alert / Odisha Transport Dept Tightens Vigil Ahead of Cyclone Arnab

Bhubaneswar, Oct 26: With Cyclone Arnab approaching the east coast, the Odisha Transport Department has imposed strict restrictions on vehicular movement and directed officials to ensure the safety of passengers, drivers and other road users in vulnerable areas, officials said on Monday.

Acting on directions from the Special Relief Commissioner issued on October 23, the State Transport Commissioner and Chairman of the State Transport Authority, Odisha, issued a notification to all Regional Transport Officers, Additional RTOs and enforcement officials. The order, dated October 26, asks them to take immediate precautionary measures in coordination with district administrations.

Restrictions on roads

Officials have been asked to work with Collectors, police and the Works Department to identify waterlogged roads, submerged bridges and landslide-prone stretches. No vehicle will be allowed to cross bridges where floodwater is flowing over the carriageway.

Bus and truck owners’ associations and bus terminals are to be informed about unsafe routes. Drivers must be briefed before commencing journeys, and if services are cancelled, operators have been told to arrange shelter and onward travel for stranded passengers.

Patrolling and enforcement

The department has directed increased highway patrolling at night in coordination with local police. Motorists have been advised to drive slowly during heavy rain and avoid overtaking.

Cranes and recovery vans are to be kept ready, while transport officials will coordinate with police and fire services to remove fallen trees and debris from roads. Buses and goods vehicles are also to be kept on standby for evacuation and relief-material movement, as required by district authorities.

Control rooms activated

All RTOs have been instructed to operate 24-hour control rooms and remain in touch with district emergency management centres. Weather advisories will be displayed at toll plazas and bus terminals.

Parking beneath trees and near electric poles has been prohibited. Officials must send preparedness reports to the STA control room, and the instructions will remain in force until further orders. Copies have been sent to RTOs in Ganjam, Bhanjanagar, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Koraput, Nabarangpur and Malkangiri, besides all Collectors and Superintendents of Police.

Cyclone Arnab update

Cyclone Arnab formed over the Bay of Bengal on Monday and is expected to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm. The India Meteorological Department has forecast that it will cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by the forenoon of October 28, with sustained winds of 115–125 kmph, gusting to 140 kmph.
Also Read: Odisha Strengthens Essential Commodities Supply Chain Ahead of Cyclone Arnab

Odisha is likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places on October 27, heavy to very heavy rain at a few places and extremely heavy rain at isolated places on October 28, followed by heavy showers on October 29. Southern districts, including Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri, are among the most vulnerable.