Bhubaneswar: With Cyclone Arnab projected to make landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coastline on Wednesday, the Odisha government has taken significant steps by establishing more than 1,735 cyclone shelters and allocating ₹19 crore for emergency relief efforts.
Officials indicated that the state plans to conduct need-based evacuations from at-risk low-lying areas in southern districts starting Tuesday, along with imposing movement restrictions in areas prone to landslides due to forecasts of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall and strong winds.
According to Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, the preparations include 135 permanent cyclone shelters and approximately 1,600 temporary shelters to accommodate residents from vulnerable regions.
Of the ₹19 crore designated for relief, Ganjam district has received ₹5 crore, while Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, and Kandhamal districts each received ₹2 crore.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall and gusty winds across southern Odisha beginning Tuesday, prompting the administration to enhance precautionary measures.
Rescue teams from the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and Fire Services have been strategically positioned in southern districts to address any emergencies.
Control rooms at both state and district levels are operating continuously and maintaining constant communication with the IMD and the SRC’s office.
The SRC has instructed district collectors to implement all necessary actions to ensure that there are no casualties during the cyclone’s impact. He emphasized the importance of evacuating vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, the elderly, children, and individuals with disabilities.
Fishermen have been cautioned against venturing into the sea until after the cyclone passes.
Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari, who assessed the preparedness measures, stated that all districts have been alerted regarding the potential effects of the cyclonic weather system.
Heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas of rivers in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand could lead to flash floods and waterlogging in western and northern Odisha, while southern districts are expected to experience significant rainfall, he noted.
In addition, Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg informed the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) that the state has activated cyclone shelters, evacuation protocols, control rooms, and disaster-response teams.
During a preparedness meeting on Monday, chaired by Cabinet Secretary T. V. Somanathan, Garg stated that the state administration is taking necessary steps to mitigate the cyclone’s impact.
As a precaution, around 3,000 women in advanced stages of pregnancy will be relocated to hospitals or safer locations.
The state government is collaborating with district administrations and disaster-response agencies to ensure timely evacuations and the provision of essential relief in vulnerable areas.
