Days of relentless downpours triggered by Cyclone Arnab have plunged large parts of Ganjam district into a severe flood crisis.
With swollen rivers breaching danger marks and inundating entire habitations, the Odisha state administration has mobilised emergency air-rescue operations to save hundreds of citizens trapped by fast-rising floodwaters in Sanakhemundi block.
State Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena confirmed that helicopter airlift operations have been initiated to evacuate people stranded in several completely submerged villages, including Sindurapalli and Mundamarei.
Rivers Overflowing Beyond Danger Marks
The deluge has caused major rivers across the district to swell dangerously. The Rushikulya River has crossed its danger mark at Purushottampur, where water levels reached 17.500 metres against the critical threshold of 16.835 metres.
The rising waters have completely swallowed key connectivity routes, submerging the vital road between Tankachhai and Hinjilicut under nearly three feet of floodwater. Sorada block remains among the hardest hit, having endured non-stop heavy to extremely heavy rainfall for three consecutive days. Swollen Rushikulya waters have inundated villages such as Palakatu, Nuagaon, Tatabali, and Suramani, completely cutting off residents from neighbouring regions.
Highways Cut Off, Commuters Stranded
In Sanakhemundi and Digapahandi blocks, the situation deteriorated rapidly as the Ghodahada River overflowed its banks. Floodwaters are currently flowing five feet above the Ghodahada bridge near Palaspur, completely disrupting traffic along the Digapahandi-Aska stretch of NH-326.
Long queues of vehicles remain stranded on both sides of the flooded highway, leaving hundreds of commuters in distress. Police personnel have deployed barricades on both approaches to the bridge to prevent individuals from attempting risky crossings.
District Administration on High Alert
Although Cyclone Arnab weakened into a deep depression after making landfall along the Andhra Pradesh–Yanam coast—with wind speeds reaching up to 150 kmph—it pulled massive moisture reserves into southern Odisha, triggering persistent downpours.
The Ganjam district administration has initiated large-scale evacuations from low-lying zones to cyclone and flood shelters. Officials have issued strict advisories urging citizens to avoid entering swollen water bodies or attempting to navigate inundated roads and bridges. Emergency teams remain on round-the-clock standby as airlifts continue across inaccessible pockets.
