Sudam babu state bureau odisha

Hit and hot news

Bhubaneswar, October 28, 2026

The Odisha government has intensified its disaster preparedness and emergency response operations following the developing situation associated with Cyclone Arnab. Chief Secretary Anu Garg reviewed the state’s readiness, rainfall conditions, evacuation arrangements, relief distribution and restoration of essential services during a high-level meeting held at the office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday.

The review focused on protecting lives, ensuring the availability of emergency facilities and preparing government departments to respond quickly to possible damage caused by the cyclone and accompanying heavy rainfall. Officials also discussed measures required to restore electricity and other essential services in affected areas.

Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil briefed the Chief Secretary on the latest situation and the arrangements made by the administration. According to the information presented during the meeting, the state has activated its disaster management system, strengthened field-level coordination and placed emergency resources on standby.

The government has identified the prevention of casualties as its foremost objective. Disaster management operations are being conducted under the supervision of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari.

Odisha Administration Strengthens Emergency Preparedness

District administrations have been instructed to remain alert and maintain coordination with emergency response agencies. Control rooms across the state are operating continuously to monitor developments, receive reports and facilitate communication between government departments.

The leave of government employees has been cancelled to ensure that sufficient personnel remain available during the emergency. Schools and Anganwadi centres in areas likely to be affected have also been directed to remain closed as a precautionary measure.

The preparations cover several important areas, including the evacuation of vulnerable residents, the management of temporary shelters, medical assistance, the availability of food supplies and the deployment of rescue teams.

Officials have also been preparing for the challenges that may arise after the weather system passes, particularly damaged roads, fallen trees, interruptions in electricity supply and difficulties in reaching remote communities.

The administration’s emphasis is on ensuring that response teams can begin relief and restoration work without unnecessary delays.

More Than 31,000 People Moved to Safer Locations

Evacuation operations have remained a major component of Odisha’s preparations. According to the figures presented during the review, 31,255 people have been relocated to 324 functioning shelters across eight affected districts.

These arrangements are intended to provide residents of vulnerable locations with safer accommodation while adverse weather conditions persist. Shelter facilities are an essential part of disaster management because they allow authorities to bring people away from areas exposed to flooding, strong winds and other weather-related dangers.

Beyond the shelters currently in operation, the state has prepared an additional network of facilities for use if the situation requires further evacuations. A total of 2,067 shelters have been kept ready, including 141 permanent structures and 1,926 temporary facilities.

This reserve capacity provides district authorities with additional options if more residents need to be moved to safer places.

Special attention has also been given to pregnant women. Of the 4,139 women identified by the administration, 2,245 have been shifted to nearby hospitals and healthcare centres. Their relocation is intended to improve access to medical support during a period when transportation and healthcare services could face disruption.

Health officials and local authorities will need to continue monitoring the needs of vulnerable residents throughout the emergency.

Fishing Boats Brought Back to Shore

Coastal safety measures have also been strengthened, particularly for fishing communities. Authorities have reported the safe return of 19,143 fishing boats to shore.

The total includes 11,955 boats that returned from the sea and another 7,188 boats brought back from Chilika Lake.

The movement of fishing boats to safer locations is an important precaution during cyclone-related weather conditions. Strong winds, rough waters and heavy rainfall can create dangerous circumstances for fishing activities, making timely communication with fishing communities essential.

The reported return of these boats represents a significant logistical effort involving local authorities and fishing communities. Officials must continue to communicate weather-related warnings clearly and ensure that fishing-related restrictions and safety instructions are followed where applicable.

Heavy Rainfall Reported in Several Districts

Rainfall measurements recorded during the 24-hour period ending at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday indicated widespread precipitation across Odisha. The state’s average rainfall during this period stood at 23.9 millimetres.

More than 100 millimetres of rain was recorded in 14 blocks and three urban areas, according to the figures shared during the review.

Pattangi block in Koraput district recorded the highest rainfall among the listed locations, with 188.0 mm. Mohana in Gajapati received 182.4 mm, while Ganjam block recorded 161.4 mm. Chhatrapur registered 154.6 mm, and Similiguda reported 143.1 mm.

District-level averages also reflected substantial rainfall in several parts of southern Odisha. Gajapati recorded an average of 121.2 mm, followed by Ganjam at 83.1 mm, Koraput at 61.0 mm and Puri at 54.2 mm.

These figures underline the importance of monitoring local weather conditions and assessing possible waterlogging and transport disruptions. Heavy rainfall can affect road connectivity, agricultural activities and access to essential services, particularly in low-lying areas and communities with limited transport options.

District administrations are expected to maintain vigilance and coordinate with the relevant departments as weather conditions evolve.

ODRAF, NDRF and Fire Services Mobilised

To improve the state’s ability to respond to emergencies, Odisha has deployed specialised disaster management personnel and fire service teams.

The deployment includes 62 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams, nine National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and 244 Fire Service teams.

These teams can support evacuation activities, rescue operations, the removal of obstacles and other emergency tasks, depending on local requirements and operational instructions.

The government has also mobilised equipment needed for field operations. The resources include 1,510 power chainsaws, 225 towing tenders, 110 boats, 135 dewatering pumps and 225 tower lights.

Power chainsaws can assist with clearing fallen trees, while towing vehicles can help remove obstructing or stranded vehicles. Boats and dewatering pumps may be used in locations where flooding or water accumulation creates access problems. Tower lights can support emergency teams working in poorly lit conditions.

The availability of trained personnel and appropriate equipment is particularly important when several districts require assistance at the same time.

Government Approves ₹19 Crore for Relief Work

Financial assistance has been approved to support cyclone-related relief activities in eight districts. The state government has sanctioned a total of ₹19 crore for this purpose.

Ganjam has been allocated ₹5 crore. Gajapati, Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi and Kandhamal have each been allocated ₹2 crore.

The funds are intended to support relief requirements and related emergency operations in the designated districts. Effective utilisation will depend on the needs identified by local administrations and the timely delivery of assistance to affected communities.

The state has also arranged essential supplies, including flattened rice, commonly known as chuda, jaggery, rice, biscuits, polythene sheets and anti-snake venom.

Food items can help meet immediate nutritional requirements, while protective sheets may provide temporary cover where accommodation has been damaged or affected by adverse weather. The availability of anti-snake venom is also relevant in areas where flooding or disrupted surroundings may increase the risk of snake encounters.

Maintaining adequate stocks and arranging distribution according to local demand will be important throughout the response period.

Electricity Restoration Continues in Southern Odisha

Restoring power supply remains another major priority. Electricity distribution teams operating under TP Southern Odisha Distribution Limited (TPSODL) are working to reconnect consumers affected by service interruptions.

According to the figures presented at the meeting, 20,19,124 consumers were affected. Electricity had been restored to 13,20,705 consumers, representing 65.41 per cent of the affected total.

Gajapati district reported the highest restoration rate at 81.16 per cent, followed by Malkangiri at 71.61 per cent.

The restoration of electricity is essential for households, hospitals, communication systems, water supply facilities and other public services. Repair teams may need to address damaged lines, fallen trees and other obstacles before normal supply can resume safely.

Authorities will need to continue monitoring the remaining outages and prioritise locations where interruptions could affect healthcare, drinking water or other essential needs.

Public Safety Remains the Central Priority

The review highlights the scale of Odisha’s preparations for Cyclone Arnab, covering evacuation, shelter management, medical support, rescue operations, relief funding and electricity restoration.

Although significant resources have been mobilised, the effectiveness of the response will depend on coordination among district officials, emergency services, healthcare workers, utility providers and local communities.

Residents in vulnerable areas should follow official advisories, avoid unnecessary travel during dangerous weather and use designated shelters when instructed by authorities. People should also rely on verified government announcements for updates about rainfall, evacuation instructions and the restoration of public services.

As response operations continue, the Odisha government is focusing on reducing risks to human life, delivering essential supplies and restoring normal conditions in affected districts. The coming period will require sustained monitoring and timely action as officials assess the cyclone’s impact and respond to emerging needs.