Cyclone Arnab Impact / Southern Odisha Reels Under Floods After Cyclone Arnab; Over 59,000 Evacuated

Bhubaneswar, Oct 29: The Odisha government has intensified rescue, relief and restoration measures in flood-affected districts following heavy rainfall triggered by Cyclone Arnab, with more than 59,000 people evacuated from vulnerable areas and shifted to relief shelters, officials said on Thursday.

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari today reviewed the situation throughout the day from the State Emergency Operation Centre at the Office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), along with senior officials, including the Chief Secretary, Development Commissioner, SRC and top Water Resources Department officials.

The Minister monitored rescue operations virtually and directed authorities to ensure uninterrupted assistance and essential services to affected residents, particularly in Ganjam and Gajapati districts where the situation remains critical due to flash floods triggered by cloudburst-like rainfall.

Airlifting Underway

Pujari said the State government and the entire administrative machinery were working closely with affected communities and appealed to people to cooperate with authorities and remain safe.

To strengthen rescue efforts, the State coordinated with the Indian Coast Guard to facilitate helicopter-based evacuation of stranded residents from inaccessible areas where NDRF and ODRAF teams could not reach because of strong water currents. Airlifting operations are currently underway in vulnerable pockets of Ganjam district.

Cooked food, drinking water and other relief materials are being supplied to affected people.

Heavy Rainfall Impact

Officials said Cyclone Arnab brought unprecedented rainfall to southern Odisha. Patrapur in Ganjam district recorded 546 mm of rainfall, while G. Udayagiri in Kandhamal district received 462.4 mm. Several regions in Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal recorded more than 200 mm rainfall.

As of the latest review, Ganjam had 45 ODRAF teams, seven NDRF teams and 24 Fire Services units deployed. Gajapati had 12 ODRAF teams, one NDRF team and 12 Fire Services units on standby.

Across Odisha, as many as 60 ODRAF teams, nine NDRF teams and 244 Fire and Emergency Services units have been mobilised for rescue, evacuation, road clearance and restoration work.

Evacuations and Relief

A total of 59,028 people have been evacuated from vulnerable locations and accommodated in 830 shelters across affected districts.

Among the worst-hit districts, Gajapati recorded 17,441 evacuations, followed by Malkangiri (15,477), Ganjam (11,882) and Nabarangpur (10,519).

Authorities have also shifted vulnerable pregnant women to safer locations. In Ganjam, 550 pregnant women were relocated, while 420 were shifted in Gajapati and 236 in Rayagada.

Transport and Power Restoration

Rail services have also been affected after tracks between Ichchapuram and Jhadupudi in the Visakhapatnam Division were submerged. Nine trains have been cancelled and 14 diverted, while stranded passengers are being provided necessary assistance.
Also Read: Amit Shah speaks to Odisha CM after Cyclone Arnab, assures every assistance

Power restoration efforts are progressing, with electricity supply restored in 298 of 316 affected 33 KV substations, resulting in nearly 84% restoration of power connectivity in affected areas.

The State government said relief and restoration operations are continuing on a war footing, while the Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari are likely to conduct an aerial survey of affected regions shortly, officials said.