In the wake of heavy downpours and floods triggered by Cyclone ‘Arnab’, the Government of Odisha has intensified its post-disaster restoration efforts.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari chaired a high-level review meeting today to evaluate ongoing damage assessments, relief distribution, and infrastructure repairs, alongside monitoring the trajectory of the recent cyclone ‘Murasu’.
Minister Pujari informed that Cyclone ‘Murasu’ crossed the coast of Andhra Pradesh late last night and is currently moving past Vijayawada towards Telangana. While its direct impact on Odisha has remained minimal—with the state recording an average rainfall of just 2 mm over the past 24 hours—the state administration remains on high alert and fully prepared.
Key Highlights of the Administrative Response:
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Mass Evacuations: A total of approximately 1,65,809 people have been safely evacuated from vulnerable zones, including 1,52,010 from Ganjam, 6,269 from Kandhamal, 5,073 from Malkangiri, and smaller numbers from Gajapati, Rayagada, and Koraput.
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Shelter and Rescue Operations: Around 592 permanent and temporary cyclone shelters are currently operational. To bolster rescue and relief, 54 ODRAF teams, 9 NDRF squads, and over 100 fire service units have been deployed across the affected regions.
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Special IAS Delegation Appointed: To fast-track damage assessments, ensure relief packages reach genuine beneficiaries, and streamline coordination, the state has appointed four young IAS officers as Additional Special Relief Commissioners (ASRC) with special executive powers:
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Ganjam District: Ajit Kumar (2022 Batch) and Tejaswini Behera (2023 Batch)
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Gajapati District: Pawan Kumar (2024 Batch)
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Kandhamal District: Shiva Malbya (2023 Batch)
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Central Team Inspection: A central inter-ministerial team is currently touring Gajapati district to assess the extent of the damage and will visit Ganjam tomorrow before returning to Bhubaneswar.
Meanwhile, repair works for damaged housing, farmlands, roads, and power infrastructure are proceeding on a war footing across the Public Works, Energy, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, and Water Resources departments.
The high-level meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Smt. Anu Garg, Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue & Disaster Management Department, Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Special Relief Commissioner Shri Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, Director General of Fire Services Dr Sudhanshu Sarangi, and other senior officials.
