With weather warnings predicting heavy rainfall and strong winds across the region on November 18 and 19, 2026, the Ganjam District Administration has swung into high alert, rolling out comprehensive advance preparedness measures to safeguard lives, livestock, and property.
Chairing an emergency preparatory meeting of all departmental officers at Chhatrapur on Saturday, November 14, District Collector V. Keerthi Vasan instructed officials to draw lessons from Cyclone Arnab and the subsequent floods, reiterating the administration’s strict target of zero casualties.
Key Directives & Action Plan Issued by Ganjam Collector
To ensure seamless coordination across all blocks, the administration has activated a 24-hour District Control Room and issued immediate operational directives:
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- Fishermen Recall & Block-Level Awareness: The Fisheries Department has been instructed to ensure all fishermen currently at sea return to the coast by November 16, after which venturing into the sea will be strictly prohibited. Starting Sunday, November 15, Block Development Officers (BDOs)—alongside Panchayat representatives and Self-Help Groups—will launch loudspeaker awareness campaigns across all blocks.
- Zero Casualty & Vulnerable Group Evacuation: Field officers have been ordered to inspect drinking water, food, lighting, and sanitation facilities at all cyclone shelters immediately. The Health and District Social Welfare Departments will coordinate the advance shifting of pregnant women to safer locations, while health centres are being stocked with essential medicines and anti-snake venom injections.
- Farmer Advisory & Drainage Monitoring: Farmers have been urged to harvest matured crops ahead of the anticipated downpour, while Agriculture and Irrigation officials will ensure excess rainwater drainage—with special monitoring of key channels including the Kharkhari Nala.
- Essential Supplies & Rescue Readiness: The Food Supplies Department is stocking dry rations—including flattened rice (chuda), jaggery, biscuits, and bottled water—while RWSS and WATCO are deploying water tankers and inspecting pipelines. NDRF, ODRAF, and Fire Services teams have been placed on standby for rescue operations, and in the event of a Red Warning, BDOs will submit ground situation reports daily at 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM.
- Leaves Cancelled & Headquarters Restriction: To accelerate ongoing restoration work from Cyclone Arnab alongside fresh cyclone preparations, the Sunday holiday has been cancelled across Ganjam district, and Monday’s scheduled public grievance hearing has been postponed. Officials have been barred from leaving headquarters without prior permission.
”People should not panic over the possibility of the cyclone, but strictly follow the advisories and instructions issued by the administration and move to safe shelters whenever necessary.”
— V. Keerthi Vasan, District Collector, Ganjam
Update on Cyclone Arnab Flood Relief
Alongside cyclone preparedness, the district administration confirmed that input assistance and crop insurance disbursements are actively underway for nearly 80,000 hectares of agricultural land damaged during the post-Cyclone Arnab floods, with affected families also receiving 50 kg of rice and ₹2,500 in financial aid.
