With Deep Depression over the Bay of Bengal rapidly intensifying and carrying a high probability of developing into a cyclonic storm, Arnab, the Odisha government has gone into full alert mode.
Odisha’s Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari chaired a high-level preparedness review meeting at the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), focusing on protecting lives and minimizing damage, especially in southern districts.
The meeting was attended by R&DM Dept Additional Chief Secretary Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, senior officers, and the Director of IMD Bhubaneswar. District Collectors of the potentially most-affected districts — Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, and Nabarangpur — joined via video conference.
According to IMD assessments, the system is expected to strengthen further and make landfall primarily along the north Andhra Pradesh coast (between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam) around October 28 as a very severe cyclonic storm. While the core impact is likely to be higher in Andhra Pradesh, southern Odisha is forecast to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall, strong winds, and associated risks of flooding and landslides.
Key Directives from the Minister
Minister Pujari stressed practical, ground-level readiness. He instructed officers to join future meetings from their field locations rather than travelling to headquarters, and directed the formation of district-level WhatsApp groups for real-time updates on problems and urgent information — not just routine reports. He emphasised accurate, regular communication with the media to prevent misinformation, and insisted that people taking shelter in relief centres be treated as guests, with proper arrangements for health, food, milk and baby food for children, and a compassionate approach overall.
CM Assigns Ministers for Direct Oversight
To ensure seamless coordination, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has assigned two Deputy Chief Ministers and six Ministers to oversee eight major districts from October 27 to 29. They will guide district administrations, accelerate relief and rescue operations, and support the overall response.
The overarching target remains “Zero Casualty.”
Odisha Stations Deputy CMs and Ministers in Eight Districts as Cyclone Arnab Nears
Ground-Level Preparations
Leaves of all district-level officers have been cancelled, and 24×7 control rooms (including at block, tehsil, and urban levels) along with district emergency operation centres are operational. Toll-free numbers and special helplines are active for the public.
In the six most vulnerable districts (Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur), schools, colleges, and Anganwadi centres have been ordered closed. A total of 27 ODRAF teams and 6 NDRF teams have been deployed:
- Ganjam: 9 ODRAF + 2 NDRF (11 teams)
- Gajapati: 6 ODRAF + 1 NDRF (7 teams)
- Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri: 3 ODRAF + 1 NDRF each
- Nabarangpur: 3 ODRAF teams
People living in kutcha houses, thatched homes, and low-lying areas are being identified and shifted to cyclone shelters. Pregnant women near delivery are being moved to nearby hospitals, CHCs, PHCs, or maternity homes in advance. Special arrangements are in place for the elderly, children, and persons with disabilities.
A complete ban on fishing has been enforced, and tourist movement has been restricted in hills, waterfalls, dams, and tourist spots in the southern districts. Farmers have been advised to immediately harvest crops that are 80-85% mature (paddy, maize, mandia, etc.) and store them safely; an agriculture helpline is available.
Preparations also include chlorination of drinking water, stocking of essential medicines (including anti-snake venom injections and chlorine tablets), readiness of power and communication restoration equipment, mobile veterinary teams for animals, and arrangements for fodder distribution.
Nodal officers have been assigned specific areas, and WhatsApp groups have been created for rapid coordination. The public has been urged to ignore rumours, follow only official advisories, and cooperate with the administration.
With Odisha’s long experience in cyclone management and a clear zero-casualty focus, the state machinery is fully mobilised. Residents in southern and coastal districts are advised to stay alert, secure their properties, and prioritise safety as the system continues to develop.
Odisha Deploys 5 Senior IAS Officers to Oversee Cyclone Relief and Management in 5 Districts
