Odisha Speeds Up Cyclone Arnab Recovery, Gears Up for Cyclone Murassu
Bhubaneswar, Nov 1: Odisha has intensified restoration and relief operations in areas affected by Cyclone Arnab, while simultaneously stepping up preparedness measures for the possible threat of Cyclone Murassu.
Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik chaired a high-level review meeting at Lok Seva Bhawan after conducting an extensive field assessment in the cyclone-affected Kandhamal district.
During the review, the Minister directed officials to accelerate the restoration of drinking water facilities, damaged roads, bridges and other rural infrastructure.
Special emphasis was placed on ensuring uninterrupted access to safe drinking water in affected regions and maintaining coordination among district administrations.
Earlier, Naik visited landslide- and flood-hit villages in Kandhamal’s Raikia block, where he inspected damaged roads and bridges and interacted with residents affected by heavy rainfall.
He also met injured people and families whose homes were damaged, taking stock of ground-level challenges and rehabilitation requirements.
Officials informed the review meeting that 2,593 tube wells have already been repaired and disinfected, while restoration work has been completed on 162 of the 393 affected piped water supply schemes.
Water quality testing has also been strengthened, with laboratory examinations conducted on hundreds of tube well and piped water samples to prevent outbreaks of waterborne diseases.
To support relief operations, the state has deployed 235 water tankers, 80 tractor-mounted Sintex tanks, and 16 specialised supply vehicles.
In Ganjam district, eight Mobile Water Treatment Units are supplying drinking water to affected communities.
With meteorological reports indicating the possible formation of Cyclone Murassu, the Minister instructed departments to remain on high alert.
He directed officials to pre-position emergency supplies, drinking water reserves and response teams in vulnerable areas while expediting connectivity restoration works to ensure uninterrupted relief operations.
“Restoring connectivity and guaranteeing safe drinking water are our immediate priorities,” Naik said, stressing continuous monitoring and coordination to safeguard lives and livelihoods across affected districts.
