Bhubaneswar, Oct 29: Odisha has achieved its zero-casualty target amid Cyclone Arnab, with no deaths reported so far, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said on Wednesday, crediting advance preparations, coordinated response efforts and large-scale evacuations for managing the situation.
The Chief Minister made the announcement after reviewing the cyclone situation at the Special Relief Commissioner’s (SRC) control room in Bhubaneswar. He said the state administration had taken extensive precautionary measures to minimise the impact of the cyclone and protect vulnerable communities.
Majhi also said Union Home Minister Amit Shah had contacted him several times before and during the cyclone to review preparedness and response measures. The Odisha government remained in close coordination with the Andhra Pradesh administration, he added.
More Than 43,000 People Evacuated
According to the Chief Minister, 43,827 people were evacuated to 634 relief camps across eight districts: Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Kalahandi, Ganjam, Gajapati and Nuapada.
Essential supplies, including cooked food, dry rations, drinking water and medicines, were being provided at the camps to ensure the safety and comfort of displaced residents.
The administration also facilitated the relocation of 2,245 pregnant women to nearby health facilities as a precautionary measure. Of them, 931 babies were safely delivered, Majhi said.
313 Emergency Response Teams Deployed
To strengthen emergency preparedness, the state deployed 313 response teams, comprising 60 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams, nine National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and 244 Fire Service teams.
The teams were assigned emergency response and rescue responsibilities in vulnerable areas as the administration monitored rainfall, possible flooding and other cyclone-related risks.
The Chief Minister further announced that all 19,143 fishing boats that had ventured into the sea along the coastal stretch from Ganjam to Balasore had returned safely, marking a successful operation to protect fishermen.
Heavy Rainfall in Southern Odisha
Cyclone-related rainfall affected several parts of the state, with 17 blocks recording more than 105 mm of rain. Potangi in Koraput district received the highest rainfall at 188 mm, followed by Mohana in Gajapati district with 182.4 mm.
Gajapati was among the worst-affected districts in terms of rainfall, according to Majhi. He cautioned that continued precipitation could lead to waterlogging in low-lying areas and said officials had been directed to ensure adequate pumping arrangements for draining accumulated water.
Ministers and Senior Officials Monitor Situation
As part of the response mechanism, two Deputy Chief Ministers, six Ministers and seven IAS officers were assigned supervisory responsibilities across different districts to coordinate relief and preparedness measures.
Earlier, SRC Rajesh Prabhakar Patil briefed the Chief Minister on the cyclone’s status and its impact. Majhi also held discussions with the Deputy Chief Ministers and Ministers overseeing various districts, reviewing rainfall patterns, potential damage, river water levels and relief camp arrangements.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue Department Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee and senior officials from the SRC office attended the review meeting.
With extensive evacuations completed and emergency teams deployed across vulnerable areas, the state government said its immediate priority remained protecting lives, managing the effects of continued rainfall and ensuring essential services for affected residents.
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