States » EastPosted at: Oct 31 2026 7:20PM


Odisha intensifies multi-agency rescue, relief operations in Cyclone Arnab hit Ganjam

Bhubaneswar, Oct 31 (UNI) The Odisha government has intensified its multi-agency rescue, relief and restoration operations in cyclone-affected Ganjam district, deploying specialised search equipment, additional personnel and technical teams to accelerate the search for missing persons and restore essential services in the affected areas.
As part of the search operation, an Indian Navy helicopter brought three advanced search devices — a seismic life-detection unit, a vibration detection unit and a victim location camera — to G. Udayagiri to assist in locating missing persons in the landslide-hit Gidipabali area of Tadama revenue village under Baibali Gram Panchayat, bordering Kandhamal district.
However, adverse weather conditions prevented the helicopter from descending at the designated location. The equipment is being transported by road and is expected to reach the site for deployment in the early hours of Sunday.
Heavy rainfall continues to hamper rescue operations at the landslide site, making access difficult for emergency personnel. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and Odisha Fire Services are engaged in the operation and will be joined by teams from the Indian Railways.
Official sources said all possible measures were being taken in consultation with experts to expedite the search operation despite challenging weather conditions and difficulties in accessing the affected location.
Meanwhile, relief and restoration operations have gathered momentum in cyclone-affected Aska, where disruptions caused by Cyclone Arnab have affected traffic movement, transportation, drinking water supply and other essential services.
Ganjam Collector and District Magistrate Kirti Vasan V. said coordinated efforts by the district administration and various departments had gradually improved the situation, with several measures underway to restore normalcy.
Providing an update on the operations, the Collector said traffic congestion had been considerably reduced. All parked heavy vehicles are scheduled to be shifted from Saturday afternoon to create adequate space for smoother traffic movement and facilitate relief operations.
To strengthen the distribution of essential supplies, 20 auto-rickshaws and 10 tractors have been deployed since Friday evening. Traffic movement has partially improved, with noticeable progress reported during the evening hours.
Most bus services have resumed, while the remaining services are expected to be restored by Saturday morning.
The administration has also stepped up arrangements to ensure an uninterrupted drinking water supply. By Friday evening, 10 water tankers and around 30,000 bottles of drinking water had been distributed among affected residents. The number of tankers is scheduled to be increased to 30-35 on Saturday to meet the growing demand.
Additional Aska lights have reached the town and have been installed at various locations. Adequate fuel stocks have also been arranged with the local MI.
The administration is distributing cooked food in sufficient quantities throughout the day to ensure that affected people do not face shortages.
TP Southern Odisha Distribution Limited (TPSODL) has assured the administration that electricity supply will be restored to normal by Saturday morning.
Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg is continuously monitoring the situation in coordination with the Chief Minister, the Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management, the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), the Ganjam Collector and concerned departmental secretaries.
She is reviewing the progress of relief and restoration operations and stressing the need for their effective and timely implementation.
The district administration has decided to continue relief and assistance measures until normalcy is fully restored, or for at least one week.
Priority is being given to improving traffic management, augmenting drinking water supplies, ensuring regular distribution of cooked food and expediting the restoration of essential services.
With these coordinated interventions underway, the administration expects a significant improvement in the overall situation in Aska by the end of Saturday, official sources said.
In a further step to strengthen relief and flood-management operations, the Odisha government has deployed 10 Assistant Commissioners, Executive Officers and Engineers at the disposal of the Ganjam Collector.
Teams from the Water Corporation of Odisha (WATCO) and the Public Health Engineering Organisation (PHEO) have also been deputed to supervise drinking water supply and sanitation arrangements in the affected Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
Special emphasis is being placed on protecting drinking water sources and preventing the outbreak of waterborne diseases in the aftermath of the floods.
All water sources, including community water facilities, are to be thoroughly cleaned, disinfected and sanitised. Post-flood sanitation and restoration of hygienic conditions in affected localities have also been accorded priority.
The government has reiterated its commitment to safeguarding public health and ensuring the availability of safe drinking water and essential civic services in all affected areas.
The deployed officers and departmental teams are working in coordination to strengthen the disaster response, facilitate relief distribution and ensure the timely restoration of normal civic services.
UNI DP
Tags: #Odisha intensifies multi-agency rescue# relief operations in Cyclone Arnab hit Ganjam
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