Odisha on High Alert as Potential Cyclone Arnab Threatens Southern Districts
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has intensified disaster preparedness measures across southern districts as a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal is expected to strengthen into Cyclone Arnab, posing a threat of heavy rainfall, strong winds, flooding and landslides.
A high-level review meeting was held at the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) under the chairmanship of Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari.
Senior officials from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), and district administrations participated in the preparedness review.
The districts identified as most vulnerable include Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri and Nabarangpur.
In line with the state’s “zero casualty” strategy, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has directed ministers and senior officials to closely monitor the situation and coordinate response efforts in vulnerable regions.
To ensure rapid response, district-level officials’ leave has been cancelled, while emergency control rooms have been activated round-the-clock.
Schools, colleges and Anganwadi centres in the most vulnerable districts have also been closed as a precautionary measure.
The state government has deployed 27 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams and six National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams across vulnerable districts.
Ganjam district has received the highest concentration of deployment due to its vulnerability.
Authorities have begun shifting residents from low-lying and disaster-prone areas to safer shelters.
Special arrangements are being made for pregnant women, senior citizens, children and persons with disabilities.
The government has also imposed a ban on fishing activities and advised tourists to avoid visiting hill stations, waterfalls, dams and other vulnerable locations in southern Odisha.
Farmers have been urged to harvest mature crops and store them safely to minimise losses.
Departments concerned have been directed to maintain adequate stocks of medicines, chlorine tablets, drinking water supplies and emergency power restoration equipment.
Veterinary services and fodder reserves have also been kept ready to support livestock in affected regions.
With all agencies placed on high alert, the Odisha government has urged citizens to follow official advisories and avoid unnecessary travel during adverse weather conditions.
