The Ganjam district administration in Odisha has ordered the closure of all Anganwadi centres from October 27 to 29 in view of the possible impact of Cyclone Arnab, according to an official order issued by the Collector and District Magistrate.
The order, dated October 26, cites the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) evening weather bulletin that issued orange and red warnings for Ganjam district. It forecasts heavy to very heavy rainfall from October 27 to 29. Authorities said the decision prioritises the safety of children attending the centres.
Anganwadi workers and helpers have been directed to remain present in their respective areas during the closure period. Dry rations and take-home rations (THR), wherever applicable, will be delivered to beneficiaries at their doorsteps so that eligible children, pregnant women and nursing mothers are not deprived of nutritional support.
Cyclone Arnab, currently over the east-central and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal, is expected to intensify further. The IMD has forecast that it will strengthen into a severe cyclonic storm by late October 26 and a very severe cyclonic storm on October 27. It is likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam around the forenoon of October 28, packing maximum sustained winds of 115–125 kmph, gusting up to 140 kmph.
Southern Odisha districts, including Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri, are under high alert for heavy to extremely heavy rainfall and strong winds. The state government has ordered the closure of schools, colleges and Anganwadi centres in these five districts on October 28 and 29 as a broader precautionary measure. Leave for district-level officers has been cancelled, and extensive preparedness measures—including the readying of permanent and temporary shelters, deployment of ODRAF and NDRF teams, and activation of 24-hour control rooms—are under way.
District officials continue to monitor the evolving weather situation closely and have appealed to residents to follow official advisories.
