Sudam babu state buero chief odisha

Bhubaneswar, November The Odisha Government has strengthened its disaster management preparedness to deal with the possible impact of Cyclone Murasu, with Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari assuring that all necessary arrangements are in place to safeguard lives and property.

Appealing to the public, the Minister urged people to remain vigilant, follow official advisories and avoid unnecessary panic as weather conditions develop over the Bay of Bengal.

He made the statement during a high-level review meeting at the Special Relief Commissioner’s (SRC) office at Rajiv Bhawan in Bhubaneswar on Monday. Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, and Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil were also present.

Odisha Reviews Preparedness for Approaching Deep Depression

The meeting assessed the progress of ongoing relief and restoration operations in areas affected by Cyclone Arnab and subsequent flooding. Officials also reviewed emergency arrangements to address the potential threat posed by the approaching deep depression, named Murasu.

According to the information presented at the meeting, the weather system was positioned over the Bay of Bengal, approximately 160 km from Nellore, 180 km from Chennai and Kavali, 210 km from Ongole and 240 km from Machilipatnam.

Wind speeds could reach 100–110 kmph during landfall. Odisha districts, including Ganjam, Gajapati, Koraput, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Kandhamal, Kalahandi and Puri, may experience adverse weather conditions.

The state administration has been instructed to maintain preparedness and ensure that emergency response teams remain ready to respond to any eventuality.

Cyclone Arnab and Floods Affect Over 2.10 Lakh People

The recent cyclone Arnab and the subsequent floods have caused considerable damage across southern Odisha.

According to official figures reviewed during the meeting, 41 blocks, 488 Gram Panchayats and 2,137 villages in Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal districts have been affected. Additionally, 307 wards under 23 urban local bodies have reported the impact of the disaster.

The total number of affected people has reached 2,10,920.

As part of precautionary evacuation measures, the administration shifted 1,41,797 people to safer locations. The evacuated population includes 579 pregnant women.

Three deaths have reportedly been recorded in Ganjam district.

Relief Camps Provide Food and Essential Assistance

The government has initiated relief distribution to support families displaced or affected by the cyclone and flooding.

Essential food materials, including rice, flattened rice, jaggery and cattle feed, are being distributed through relief camps. Authorities have also supplied 5,458 polythene sheets to affected households to provide temporary protection.

The district administrations are continuing relief operations while monitoring the situation in vulnerable areas.

Road Connectivity Restoration Accelerated Across Districts

The Rural Development Department has intensified road clearance and repair activities to restore connectivity in cyclone-affected regions.

Control rooms and rescue teams are operating round the clock to coordinate emergency response and restoration work.

In Ganjam district, landslide debris has been removed from 13 locations in Kukudakhandi and Patrapur blocks. Restoration work is continuing at eight additional locations. A major landslide obstruction on a road in Bhanjanagar has also been completely cleared.

Road breaches at 124 locations across 14 blocks have been repaired, while work is underway at 42 other locations. Restoration of 186 damaged roads is also progressing.

In Gajapati district, debris has been cleared from 19 roads across six blocks. Traffic has resumed on five roads affected by flooding, while 11 damaged roads in three blocks have been repaired. Temporary restoration work is continuing on a road in Goshani block.

Kandhamal district has repaired 15 of the 31 road breaches reported across three blocks. Work on the remaining 16 locations is ongoing. Seven damaged roads have been fully restored, with repair work continuing on another 31 roads.

In Rayagada district, road clearance operations have removed debris and soil from 15 locations in Gunupur.

Power Supply Restored to 99.05 Per Cent of Affected Consumers

Electricity restoration has also made significant progress in areas affected by Cyclone Arnab and subsequent flooding.

TPSODL has restored electricity supply to 99.05 per cent of affected consumers within its operational jurisdiction.

Of the 17,88,942 consumers affected by power disruptions, electricity has been restored to 17,72,028 consumers. Restoration work for the remaining 16,914 consumers is continuing on a priority basis.

The electricity distribution company is deploying teams to complete pending repairs and normalise supply in the affected locations.

Minister Urges Public to Follow Official Weather Advisories

The Odisha Government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety of residents in vulnerable districts while continuing restoration work in areas already affected by natural disasters.

Minister Suresh Pujari appealed to people not to panic but to remain alert and cooperate with the administration.

Residents in potentially affected districts have been advised to follow official weather updates, avoid unnecessary travel during severe weather and comply with evacuation instructions issued by local authorities.

With relief distribution, road repairs, electricity restoration and disaster response arrangements continuing simultaneously, the state government is working to minimise the impact of any further weather-related emergency.

The government has emphasised that public awareness, timely evacuation and coordination between departments will remain crucial in protecting lives and property during the approaching weather system.