Sudam babu state bureau odisha

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Bhubaneswar, November 3, 2026: The Odisha government has stepped up its disaster management and relief operations following the heavy rainfall and flooding triggered by Cyclone Arnab. With several districts, particularly Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal, facing the consequences of severe weather conditions, the state administration has accelerated efforts to assess losses, distribute compensation and restore damaged infrastructure.

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari chaired a high-level review meeting in Bhubaneswar on Monday to examine the impact of Cyclone Arnab and review the latest developments concerning Cyclone Murasu, which recently made landfall. Senior officials from various government departments participated in the meeting and discussed ongoing relief measures, preparedness and rehabilitation arrangements.

Cyclone Murasu: Odisha Government Keeps Situation Under Close Watch

During the meeting, Minister Suresh Pujari explained that Cyclone Murasu entered Andhra Pradesh late on the previous night. At the time of the review, the weather system was situated south of Vijayawada and was moving forward, with Telangana expected to be its next direction of movement.

According to the information shared by the state government, Odisha had not experienced any significant impact from Cyclone Murasu so far. Rainfall activity across the state remained relatively limited during the preceding 24 hours.

The average rainfall recorded across Odisha during this period was approximately 2 millimetres. Puri district received around 12 millimetres, while Malkangiri, Koraput and Ganjam recorded rainfall of 10 millimetres or below.

Despite the relatively low rainfall figures, the state government has maintained heightened vigilance. Authorities are continuously monitoring meteorological developments and have instructed district administrations to remain prepared for any sudden change in weather conditions.

More Than 1.65 Lakh People Evacuated from Vulnerable Areas

One of the major priorities of the state administration has been protecting residents living in flood-prone and cyclone-sensitive locations. As part of precautionary measures, thousands of people have been shifted to safer places with the support of district authorities and disaster response teams.

According to the figures presented during the review meeting, approximately 1,65,809 people have been evacuated from different districts.

The district-wise evacuation figures are as follows:

• Ganjam: Approximately 1,52,010 people.
• Gajapati: Around 620 people.
• Malkangiri: Approximately 5,073 people.
• Koraput: Around 1,101 people.
• Kandhamal: Approximately 6,269 people.
• Rayagada: Around 736 people.

The government has also arranged accommodation and basic facilities for displaced residents. Approximately 592 permanent and temporary relief shelters are currently functioning across the concerned districts.

These facilities are intended to provide temporary accommodation and essential support to people who have been moved away from vulnerable locations. District administrations have been instructed to ensure that relief arrangements remain operational and that affected families receive necessary assistance.

ODRAF, NDRF and Fire Services Teams Deployed

To strengthen emergency response capabilities, the Odisha government has mobilised specialised disaster management personnel across the affected and vulnerable districts.

Approximately 54 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams, nine National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and more than 100 Fire Service teams have been deployed.

These teams are supporting evacuation operations, emergency response, rescue activities and other essential disaster management work.

Senior administrative officials are also stationed in affected districts to supervise field operations and coordinate assistance. Their responsibilities include assessing local requirements, monitoring relief arrangements and ensuring that emergency support reaches communities without unnecessary delays.

Educational institutions in the affected districts have largely remained closed as a precautionary measure. Decisions regarding the reopening of schools will be taken by the respective district administrations after evaluating local conditions and reviewing safety arrangements.

Four IAS Officers Given Additional Special Relief Commissioner Responsibilities

A significant decision taken during the review meeting was the deployment of four IAS officers as Additional Special Relief Commissioners (Additional SRCs).

The appointments have been made to improve administrative coordination, speed up damage assessments and ensure that compensation reaches eligible beneficiaries promptly.

The officers have been assigned full powers in their respective districts to oversee relief and rehabilitation-related responsibilities.

The appointments are as follows:

1. Gajapati District: Shri Pawan Kumar, IAS (2024 batch).
2. Ganjam District: Shri Ajit Kumar, IAS (2022 batch).
3. Ganjam District: Ms. Tejaswini Behera, IAS (2023 batch).
4. Kandhamal District: Shri Shiva Malavya, IAS (2023 batch).

The deployment is expected to strengthen coordination between district administrations and the state government. The officers will focus on accelerating the assessment of losses, monitoring compensation procedures and reviewing infrastructure restoration work.

Their presence is also expected to help address administrative difficulties that could otherwise delay relief delivery to affected communities.

Compensation Package Announced for Cyclone-Related Losses

The Revenue Minister informed the meeting that Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has already announced a compensation package for losses caused by Cyclone Arnab.

The assistance covers damage to residential houses, agricultural land and business establishments.

The government has emphasised that the compensation process must be completed efficiently so that affected individuals and families do not face unnecessary difficulties while seeking financial assistance.

District Collectors have been instructed to complete preliminary damage assessments and submit their reports to the government at the earliest.

After the initial assessment, detailed reports covering the full extent of damage will be prepared and forwarded to the Government of India.

The assessment process will play an important role in determining the extent of losses and identifying the assistance required for rehabilitation and reconstruction.

Infrastructure Restoration Work Underway

Heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding have affected infrastructure in several locations. Restoring essential services and repairing damaged public assets have therefore become major priorities for the state government.

Various departments have been directed to undertake repair and restoration activities on an urgent basis.

The departments involved include:

• Panchayati Raj Department.
• Rural Development Department.
• Works Department.
• Energy Department.
• Water Resources Department.

These departments are coordinating their activities to restore damaged infrastructure and improve essential services in affected areas.

The government has stressed that restoration work should not be unnecessarily delayed. Particular attention is being given to infrastructure that directly affects people’s daily lives and the functioning of essential services.

Central Government Team Conducts Ground-Level Damage Assessment

A central government assessment team is currently visiting cyclone-affected areas to examine the damage and collect information directly from the ground.

On November 3, the team visited Gajapati district and inspected affected locations to understand the extent of losses.

The team is scheduled to travel to Ganjam district on November 4 for further assessment before returning to Bhubaneswar.

The respective District Collectors are coordinating with the central officials and arranging field visits to locations that require inspection.

The purpose of the exercise is to obtain a clearer picture of the damage caused by Cyclone Arnab and identify the requirements for additional assistance.

The state government will subsequently submit comprehensive damage assessment reports to the Centre for consideration.

Senior Officials Participate in High-Level Meeting

Several senior government officials attended the review meeting chaired by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari.

Those present included Chief Secretary Smt. Anu Garg, Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Special Relief Commissioner Shri Rajesh Prabhakar Patil and Director General of Fire Services Dr. Sudhanshu Sarangi.

Other senior officers from the concerned departments also participated in the discussions.

The meeting reviewed the progress of evacuation, relief arrangements, damage assessment, compensation distribution and infrastructure restoration.

Government Assures Continued Support to Affected Families

The Odisha government has reiterated its commitment to standing with people affected by Cyclone Arnab and the subsequent flooding.

The administration is focusing on three major priorities: ensuring public safety, providing timely financial assistance and restoring damaged infrastructure.

The deployment of four IAS officers with additional relief commissioner responsibilities is an important administrative step towards strengthening coordination in the worst-affected districts.

Meanwhile, authorities continue to monitor Cyclone Murasu and its possible impact on the state.

The government has urged district administrations to maintain preparedness and ensure that relief facilities remain accessible whenever required.

With disaster response teams deployed, evacuation arrangements in place and damage assessment activities underway, Odisha is working to ensure that affected communities receive assistance and that normal life returns to the impacted areas as quickly as possible.