The Odisha government has mounted a high-intensity drive to restore telecommunications in Ganjam district, the worst-affected area after Cyclone Arnab triggered torrential rains, flash floods, and widespread disruption across southern Odisha.
In an official update issued on the evening of October 31, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) stated that, following a high-level review, telecom services had been successfully restored in 20 blocks of the district by 5 PM. The restoration was achieved through coordinated efforts by BSNL and private operators under direct government supervision.
Work remains ongoing on a war footing in the remaining affected pockets. According to the CMO, restoration is still pending in two blocks under BSNL, eight under Jio, and seven under Airtel. Operators have been directed to bring flooded base transceiver stations (BTS), batteries, power plants, and diesel generators back into service the moment floodwaters recede, with the clear target of normalizing connectivity across the entire district by the evening of November 1.
The update comes as Ganjam continues to grapple with the aftermath of exceptionally heavy rainfall that inundated large parts of the district, damaged infrastructure, and disrupted essential services. The state government has emphasized continuous monitoring and close coordination with all telecom service providers to ensure affected residents regain access to communication channels at the earliest.
Officials have reiterated the administration’s commitment to prioritising connectivity during natural disasters, recognising its critical role in relief coordination, family communication, and overall recovery efforts.
With rainfall having subsided and flood levels expected to decline further, the remaining restoration work is expected to gain pace overnight and through November 1.
