As southern Odisha reels under the impact of exceptionally heavy, cloudburst-like rainfall triggered by Cyclone Arnab, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari has been conducting continuous reviews from the State Emergency Operations Centre throughout the day.
Working closely with the Chief Secretary, Development Commissioner, Special Relief Commissioner and senior officers of the Water Resources and Revenue departments, the Minister is personally tracking rescue and relief operations in the worst-hit districts of Ganjam and Gajapati.
Despite the sudden and severe flooding, the administration has moved decisively to protect lives. A total of **59,028 people** have been evacuated from vulnerable areas across the state, with 830 shelters opened to accommodate them. Ganjam and Gajapati remain the epicentres of the crisis. In Ganjam alone, 922 vulnerable villages were identified and 299 villages across 22 blocks have been affected. In Gajapati, 711 villages have been impacted and 17,441 people evacuated.
Particular attention is being given to the safety of expectant mothers. Across the affected districts, **3,001 pregnant women** have been shifted to healthcare facilities in time, resulting in **1,188 safe deliveries** so far. In Ganjam, 550 pregnant women were relocated and 293 institutional deliveries recorded; in Gajapati the figures stand at 420 shifted and 33 deliveries; while Rayagada has seen 236 women moved and 86 deliveries.
On the ground, specialised forces are working round the clock. Across the state, 60 ODRAF teams and nine NDRF teams (69 specialised teams in total) have been deployed, supported by 244 Fire and Emergency Services teams clearing roads, restoring connectivity and conducting evacuations. Ganjam has the heaviest concentration — 45 ODRAF and seven NDRF teams — while Gajapati has 12 ODRAF and one NDRF team. Where strong currents have blocked boat access, the Indian Coast Guard is conducting helicopter evacuations of stranded residents in Ganjam. Cooked food, drinking water and polythene sheets have been arranged at shelters, with chuda and jaggery provided as immediate relief.
Ministers and senior leaders remain embedded in the affected districts: Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo is in Koraput, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida in Rayagada, Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena in Ganjam, Minister Suryabanshi Suraj in Gajapati, Dr. Mukesh Mahaling in Kalahandi and Minister Rabi Narayan Naik in Kandhamal.
Rainfall figures underline the intensity of the event. Patrapur in Ganjam recorded **546 mm**, while G. Udayagiri in Kandhamal received **462.4 mm**. Multiple locations across Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal crossed 200 mm. Water levels are being closely monitored — the Vamsadhara River at 52.5 metres remains below its danger level of 54.10 metres — and SRC powerboats have been positioned at key points.
Railway services have been disrupted in the Visakhapatnam Division along the Ichchapuram–Jhadupudi section, with nine trains cancelled or suspended and 14 diverted. Power restoration is progressing rapidly: of 316 affected 33 kV substations, 298 have been restored, bringing back approximately 84 per cent of affected connections.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari are scheduled to undertake an aerial survey of Ganjam and Gajapati shortly. A Central Team is also set to visit the two districts for on-ground assessment.
