Severe rainfall from Cyclone Arnab has resulted in the tragic loss of three lives and isolated several villages in Odisha’s Kandhamal district. Rescue teams have successfully reached survivors and are engaged in restoration efforts while distributing vital supplies.
According to Collector and District Magistrate Ved Bhushan, the intense rainfall caused by Cyclone Arnab triggered landslides and flooding, leading to the fatalities. Two additional individuals were rescued as the operations approached completion. Bhushan noted that the Raikia block was significantly impacted, with many villages cut off due to the downpour. The local administration has reconnected with residents in these areas and is delivering essential items.
In the village of Dangesi, several houses were destroyed, resulting in three deaths. Two survivors, including an elderly woman and her son, were rescued and are currently being provided with assistance in the nearby Shikabadi village, where food, drinking water, and medical supplies are being distributed.
“Certain regions were entirely isolated; our efforts to re-establish communication have been successful,” Bhushan stated. He mentioned that JCB machines are being deployed to clear roads leading to another impacted village within the same Gram Panchayat. The distribution of essential supplies, including food and medicine, is also underway for residents in those regions.
Detailing the administration’s response plan, Bhushan emphasized that the immediate focus was on conducting rescue operations, followed by relief measures for the rescued individuals, and subsequently restoring essential services and repairing damaged infrastructure. He remarked that while rescue operations in Kandhamal are close to completion, restoration activities have already commenced. Bhushan expressed optimism for no additional rainfall and noted that a team has been dispatched to Ganjam district to aid flood relief efforts.
Odisha Panchayati Raj Minister Rabi Narayan Naik is actively overseeing the situation in Kandhamal, personally visiting impacted areas to monitor the ongoing rescue initiatives.
The heavy rains associated with Cyclone Arnab also caused a significant landslide at Taptapani Ghat along the Gajapati-Ganjam border, completely halting vehicular traffic, while parts of National Highway 326 were washed away near Ledbandh in Gajapati district. (ANI)
