The severe impacts of Cyclone ‘Arnab’ became starkly visible in the capital city of Odisha on Tuesday, as continuous torrential rainfall and fierce squally winds severely disrupted daily life and traffic movement across multiple areas.
Massive Puja Gate Collapses
In the Club Town field area, a towering 80-foot-high puja pandal and welcome gate dedicated to Goddess Gajalakshmi buckled under the high-speed winds, twisting and crashing onto the ground. The sudden collapse of the colossal structure sparked widespread panic among local residents, though prompt safety measures averted major casualties.
Blocked Roads and Traffic Chaos
Transportation along the busy Nandankanan-Patia road came to a complete standstill after a massive tree was uprooted near Shikharchandi Nagar. The fallen tree completely blocked one side of the thoroughfare, leaving buses, vehicles, and daily commuters stranded for hours. Swift action by Fire Services and ODRAF (Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force) teams helped clear the debris and restore partial movement.
Widespread Waterlogging
Unrelenting heavy showers turned major city streets into waterbodies, with knee-deep water inundating several commercial and residential zones. Severe waterlogging was reported near the Commissionerate Police Chhak and the main thoroughfares of Bamikhal, heavily restricting vehicular movement.
Administration on High Alert
While Cyclone Arnab made landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast and is gradually weakening, its outer rain bands continue to dump heavy rainfall across Odisha, particularly impacting Khordha district and the capital region.
The local administration remains on high alert, closely monitoring the evolving weather situation. Residents have been strongly advised to exercise caution, stay indoors, avoid non-essential travel, and strictly adhere to official safety guidelines.
