In the wake of Cyclone Arnab’s landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast, severe torrential rain has battered several southern districts of Odisha, causing widespread flooding, road blockades, and major power disruptions.
Over six locations across the region recorded extreme rainfall exceeding 30 centimetres in just 24 hours.
Patrapur block in Ganjam district bore the brunt of the storm, recording a staggering 546 mm (54.6 cm) of rainfall. Other hard-hit areas included G. Udayagiri (462.4 mm), Sanakhemundi (388 mm), Raikia (384.8 mm), Sorada (375 mm), Chikiti (309.2 mm), and Mohana (307.6 mm).
Rising Rivers and Urban Inundation
The heavy downpour has caused the Rushikulya River to swell significantly, raising flash flood alarms in Ganjam district. Towns like Sorada, Asika, and Dharakote are facing serious waterlogging, with floodwaters inundating low-lying residential areas.
To manage rising reservoir levels, authorities opened the sluice gates of the Ghodahada and Baghalati dams to discharge excess water. Meanwhile, uprooted trees and submerged infrastructure have severed key road links and damaged electrical lines, leaving several rural pockets without power.
Administration on High Alert
State officials confirmed that over 28,000 residents were evacuated to safer locations prior to the storm’s arrival, maintaining the state’s target of zero casualties.
“District officials are conducting overnight field visits to monitor the situation continuously. People residing along riverbanks have been asked to stay alert and follow safety guidelines closely,” stated the office of Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Rajesh Prabhakar Patil.
Dillip Rout, Chief Engineer of the Water Resources Department, assured that while the main storm system has weakened, moisture remnants continue to trigger localised rain. Flood management teams remain stationed across vulnerable river systems.
IMD Weather Outlook
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Arnab has weakened into a depression and moved over South Chhattisgarh and adjoining South Odisha (near Jagdalpur). It is projected to track northward and further downgrade into a well-marked low-pressure area by evening.
Although the severity of the cyclone has passed, wind squalls reaching 45–55 km/h (gusting to 65 km/h) alongside isolated heavy rainfall are expected to persist across Ganjam, Gajapati, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri until late afternoon. Coastal sea conditions are gradually returning to normal.
