States » EastPosted at: Nov 5 2026 2:32PM


Odisha seeks central aid for post-cyclone Arnab damage; CM calls for long-term disaster solutions

Bhubaneswar, Nov 5 (UNI) Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday urged a visiting Central team to recommend adequate financial assistance for relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction in the cyclone- and flood-hit areas of the state, while also emphasising the need for long-term measures to tackle recurring natural disasters.
The Central team, led by Ravi Shankar, Joint Secretary in the union Ministry of Home Affairs, visited several affected areas in Ganjam and Gajapati districts to assess the damage caused by Cyclone Arnab and the subsequent heavy rainfall and flooding.
The team later met Chief Minister Majhi at Lok Seva Bhavan, where discussions were held on the extent of the damage and the relief, restoration and rehabilitation measures undertaken by the state government.
During the meeting, Majhi pointed out that Odisha is frequently exposed to natural disasters, including cyclones, floods and heatwaves, which not only cause extensive damage to lives and property but also disrupt the state's development activities.
He urged the Central team to highlight in its assessment report the need for immediate financial assistance for relief and reconstruction, along with recommendations for permanent and sustainable solutions to minimise the impact of recurring disasters.
Stressing the importance of disaster-resilient infrastructure, the Chief Minister said Odisha needed long-term protective measures, particularly against cyclones and floods. Such interventions, he said, would provide lasting relief to people and help ensure that the state's development momentum was not repeatedly disrupted by natural calamities.
Speaking on the team's field assessment, Ravi Shankar said members had visited several affected locations in Ganjam and Gajapati districts and witnessed the extensive impact of the floods on local communities.
In Ganjam district, the overflowing Rushikulya river inundated several areas, depositing large quantities of sand and silt on agricultural land, roads, houses and government buildings. Shankar observed that although many houses had not completely collapsed, several structures had suffered damage and their foundations had been weakened by the floodwaters.
He stressed the need for long-term desilting of the Rushikulya river to address the recurring flooding problem and reduce the risk of similar damage in the future.
Given the widespread impact of the disaster, the Central team would need another seven to eight days to complete a comprehensive assessment of the damage, he said.
Shankar also appreciated the Odisha government's response to the cyclone and subsequent floods, praising the swift pace of relief and restoration operations. He noted that vehicular movement had been restored on most roads and electricity supply had also been largely reinstated in the affected areas.
At the meeting, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari briefed the Central team on the extent of the damage and the measures initiated by the state government to manage the situation.
Chief Secretary Anu Garg informed the team that the state government had completed a preliminary assessment of the damage and submitted a memorandum to the Centre seeking financial assistance for relief, restoration and reconstruction work.
The Central team's final assessment is expected to provide a clearer picture of the damage and the financial support required to help the affected districts recover from the disaster
UNI DP
Tags: #Odisha seeks central aid for post-cyclone Arnab damage; CM calls for long-term disaster solutions
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