States » EastPosted at: Oct 27 2026 6:07PM


Cyclone Arnab:Odisha strengthens emergency response,Eight districts on high alert

Bhubaneswar, Oct 27 (UNI) The Odisha government has stepped up its preparedness to tackle the potential impact of Cyclone Arnab and the possibility of heavy rainfall, placing eight vulnerable districts on high alert.
Adopting a zero-casualty approach, the state government has mobilised disaster response teams, readied cyclone shelters and intensified coordination among departments to minimise the risk to human life and property.
Chairing a high-level review meeting with the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) and senior officials at the State Emergency Operations Centre at Rajiv Bhavan here, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said the administration was fully prepared to deal with the impending cyclone.
He urged people to remain calm, follow official advisories and cooperate with the authorities to ensure their safety.
The eight districts receiving special attention are Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Nuapada and Kalahandi, where heavy rainfall and other adverse weather conditions are anticipated.
The state government has directed district administrations to ensure that all cyclone shelters are ready to accommodate people from vulnerable areas. Preparedness measures have been intensified from the grassroots to the state level, with a focus on timely evacuation, emergency response and protection of life and property.
According to official figures, 48,010 people have been identified in vulnerable areas across the eight districts, while 466 shelters have been kept ready to accommodate them. The government has released Rs 19 crore to strengthen disaster management measures.
Specialised disaster response teams and fire services personnel have been deployed across the vulnerable districts to ensure a swift response to emergencies.
In Ganjam district, nine Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams, two National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and 24 fire service teams have been deployed. Gajapati has six ODRAF teams, one NDRF team and eight fire service teams, while Rayagada has three ODRAF teams, one NDRF team and 11 fire service teams.
Koraput has three ODRAF teams, one NDRF team and 14 fire service teams. Similarly, Malkangiri has three ODRAF teams, one NDRF team and nine fire service teams, while Nabarangpur has three ODRAF teams and 12 fire service teams. Fire service teams have also been deployed in Nuapada and Kalahandi.
To ensure the uninterrupted functioning of emergency response mechanisms, the government has cancelled the leave of district collectors and key officials in the affected districts and instructed them to remain at their respective headquarters. Anganwadi centres will remain closed in view of the prevailing situation, according to the information provided.
Round-the-clock control rooms have been made operational in the districts to provide emergency assistance to the public. Senior IAS officers have also been deployed in the more vulnerable districts to supervise preparedness measures and coordinate response efforts.
District collectors and concerned departments have been instructed to review field-level preparedness, maintain round-the-clock readiness and ensure adequate arrangements at cyclone shelters. Authorities have also been directed to stock essential supplies in advance, issue timely warnings to residents and continuously monitor weather bulletins issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The minister and senior officials reviewed the preparedness measures with district collectors and representatives of various departments to ensure that emergency response systems remain functional at every level.
The Health Department has been directed to ensure the availability of medical relief centres, mobile health teams and essential emergency medicines in vulnerable areas.
Hospitals in the potentially affected districts have been asked to maintain uninterrupted power backup and remain prepared to provide emergency maternity services. Special attention will be given to pregnant women and newborns to ensure that medical assistance remains accessible during adverse weather conditions.
The government has also planned arrangements for distributing animal feed in affected areas to safeguard livestock during the cyclone-related disruption.
In addition, nodal officers have been assigned responsibility for flood-prone areas, while a dedicated WhatsApp group has been established to facilitate coordination and the exchange of information among officials and response personnel.
The state government has appealed to the public not to pay heed to rumours and to rely exclusively on official information regarding the cyclone and its potential impact.
Residents of vulnerable areas have been urged to follow instructions issued by the district administrations, cooperate with local authorities and move to designated shelters whenever advised.
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The administration has reiterated that public cooperation, timely dissemination of warnings and strict adherence to official advisories will be crucial in minimising the potential impact of Cyclone Arnab.
UNI DP
Tags: #Cyclone Arnab:Odisha strengthens emergency response#Eight districts on high alert
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