In the wake of severe destruction caused by Cyclone ‘Arnab’, the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) has launched large-scale rescue and rehabilitation operations on a war footing across affected regions, particularly targeting southern and coastal Odisha.
High-speed winds and relentless heavy rainfall triggered by the storm uprooted massive trees, snapping road communications and disrupting national highways and rural arterial networks.
To tackle the emergency, the Odisha Police Headquarters confirmed the deployment of 20 ODRAF units comprising 60 sub-units across 14 key districts.
Strategic Deployment in High-Risk Zones
ODRAF teams are currently operating in close coordination with local administrative authorities across 14 vulnerable districts: Ganjam, Gajapati, Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Nuapada, Puri, Mayurbhanj, Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jagatsinghpur, Kataka, and Khordha.
Specialized units have been stationed at highly sensitive and storm-hit locations, including Brahmapur, Bhanjanagar, Patrapur, Nuagada, Mohana, Mathili, Chitrakonda, Bissamkatak, Rajkhariar, Brahmagiri, Kanas, Kakatpur, Udala, Badasahi, and Balugaon.
Saving Lives in Inundated Belts
Disaster response personnel are actively navigating waterlogged low-lying areas in the coastal and southern belts to evacuate trapped residents. Priority attention is being given to vulnerable demographics, including the elderly, women, young children, and domestic livestock, who are being systematically shifted to safer zones and cyclone shelters.
Operations are being directly supervised by Additional Director General of Police (Law & Order), Sanjay Kumar, alongside regional Range IGs, DIGs, and District Superintendents of Police. Teams equipped with power saws and heavy cutters are working round-the-clock to remove fallen trees from major roads, aiming to restore traffic flow and enable the swift movement of essential supplies.
A 24-hour dedicated Emergency Control Room has been activated at ODRAF headquarters to monitor live developments and dynamically reallocate field units based on real-time assessments.
DGP Lauds Relief Efforts
Director General of Police, Odisha, Vinaytosh Mishra, commended the ODRAF personnel for their unwavering commitment, bravery, and rapid response during the crisis. He instructed all field teams to maintain peak alertness for the next few days and prioritize the safety of citizen lives and property above all else as post-cyclone recovery continues.
