With an impending tropical cyclone projected to make landfall between North Andhra Pradesh and South Odisha around October 28, the Odisha government has mobilised its entire state machinery.
Highlighting the state’s proven track record in disaster management, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi assured citizens that authorities are fully equipped to meet the ultimate goal of zero casualties.
During a high-level review meeting at Lok Seva Bhavan on October 24, 2026, alongside Revenue & Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari and top state officials, the Chief Minister emphasised that Odisha’s prior experience handling severe weather events—such as Cyclones Dana and Montha—has fine-tuned its rapid-response framework.
Meteorological Outlook and High-Risk Zones
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the system is expected to trigger heavy rainfall and gale-force winds reaching speeds of 80 to 90 km/h. While current projections indicate a higher probability of landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast, South Odisha is bracing for severe impacts.
The administration has flagged five districts as most vulnerable:
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Ganjam
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Gajapati
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Rayagada
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Koraput
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Malkangiri
Other coastal districts are also expected to experience intermittent downpours and strong winds.
Proactive Precautionary Measures
To safeguard lives and infrastructure, the state has rolled out comprehensive preventative protocols:
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Educational Closures: Schools, colleges, and Anganwadi centres will remain closed in the 5 high-risk districts on October 28 and 29. District Collectors in other regions have been empowered to make local closure decisions based on evolving weather conditions.
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Force Deployment: A formidable rescue grid has been established, featuring 60 ODRAF teams, 17 NDRF teams, and 225 Fire Services teams on high alert.
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Healthcare Preparedness: Cyclone and flood shelters are fully equipped, with specialised priority given to relocating pregnant women and patients to medical centres. Health facilities in affected zones are stocked with emergency kits, medicines, and anti-snake venom injections.
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Agricultural Advisory: With the harvesting season underway, farmers have received early warnings to harvest and safely store their crops to minimise agricultural losses.
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Infrastructure & Restoration: Engineering departments are primed for rapid response, with dedicated clearance units mobilised to swiftly remove fallen trees and restore blocked roadways. Fishermen remain strictly advised against venturing into the sea.
Concluding the review, CM Majhi urged a collaborative “Whole of Government Approach,” calling for seamless coordination across all departments to weather the storm safely.
