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At IndiaVerve, we go beyond the noise to bring you meaningful stories of change, resilience and progress—from India to the world stage. Our mission is to bring readers credible, wide-ranging coverage across politics, business, sports, culture, society and more.
At IndiaVerve, we go beyond the noise to bring you meaningful stories of change, resilience and progress—from India to the world stage. Our mission is to bring readers credible, wide-ranging coverage across politics, business, sports, culture, society and more.
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Day: November 3, 2026

Cyclone Murasu makes landfall in Andhra Pradesh; two dead, over 12,000 in relief camps

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Severe cyclonic storm crosses coast near Ongole with winds up to 120 kmph; heavy rain damages crops and homes, while Odisha continues post-Arnab rehabilitation.

Cyclone Murasu made landfall on the south Andhra Pradesh coast near Ongole in Prakasam district in the early hours of Tuesday, bringing heavy rainfall and gale-force winds. At least two people have died in cyclone-related incidents, while thousands have been moved to relief centres as the storm advances inland and gradually weakens.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the severe cyclonic storm crossed the coast between 3.30 am and 5.30 am on November 3, with wind speeds of 100–110 kmph and gusts reaching 120 kmph.

In its Tuesday evening bulletin, the IMD said the system was moving north-northwestwards and was expected to weaken into a deep depression by midnight, with wind speeds falling to 55–65 kmph and gusts up to 75 kmph. IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said the system was likely to weaken further on Wednesday and dissipate by November 5.

Two dead; crop damage across 52,459 hectares

The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) reported two deaths in incidents linked to the cyclone. Its Managing Director, Prakhar Jain, said 12,230 people were staying in rehabilitation centres in the affected districts.

A preliminary assessment has put the estimated financial loss at Rs 344 crore. Standing crops spread across 52,459 hectares have been damaged by heavy rainfall, while 312 houses have suffered damage, Jain said.

The state government is monitoring 814 minor irrigation tanks, of which 776 have been placed on high alert amid concerns over continued rainfall and rising water levels.

The IMD warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall, with isolated extremely heavy spells, across coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema. A storm surge of around 1.5–2 metres above the astronomical tide was also forecast, posing a risk of inundation in low-lying coastal areas, particularly in Bapatla, Krishna and Prakasam districts.

Evacuations and transport disruption

Authorities had moved residents from vulnerable coastal and low-lying areas ahead of landfall. In Prakasam district alone, nearly 2,000 people were shifted to safer locations, District Collector P Raja Babu said, crediting advance preparations and coordination with the state government.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) deployed 14 teams across Andhra Pradesh, including three moved from Tamil Nadu. Six districts were identified as likely to face the most significant impact, with NDRF personnel working alongside the State Disaster Response Force and local administration.

The cyclone disrupted transport, with dozens of flights cancelled across Chennai, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam and Tirupati. Several trains were cancelled, diverted or rescheduled. South Coast Railway said services in the affected Vijayawada–Gudur section were gradually resuming as conditions improved.

The Andhra Pradesh government also cancelled the leave of Panchayat Raj and Rural Development department staff until the rainfall subsides. Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan reviewed preparedness and directed personnel to remain vigilant.

Odisha focuses on Arnab recovery

In neighbouring Odisha, the government said Cyclone Murasu had not caused any significant impact so far. However, disaster response arrangements remained on alert as the system moved inland through Andhra Pradesh towards Telangana.

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said Odisha had recorded average rainfall of around 2 mm in the 24 hours preceding Tuesday’s review. Puri received 12 mm, while Malkangiri, Koraput and Ganjam recorded 10 mm or less.

The state’s immediate priority remains relief and rehabilitation following Cyclone Arnab, which caused extensive damage in parts of southern Odisha and Andhra Pradesh last week. The government said 1,65,809 people had been evacuated from six Odisha districts — Ganjam, Kandhamal, Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada and Gajapati. A total of 592 permanent and temporary shelters were operational, while 169 rescue teams comprising ODRAF, NDRF and Fire Service personnel had been deployed.

Ganjam accounted for the largest number of evacuees, with 1,52,010 people moved to safer locations. Kandhamal recorded 6,269, Malkangiri 5,073, Koraput 1,101, Rayagada 736 and Gajapati 620.

Odisha accelerates damage assessment and restoration

The Odisha government has stepped up damage assessments and infrastructure restoration following Cyclone Arnab. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has announced compensation for damage to houses, agricultural land and businesses, while departments responsible for rural development, roads, energy and water resources have been directed to expedite repairs.

Four IAS officers have been appointed as Additional Special Relief Commissioners to strengthen coordination and speed up assessments and compensation in Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal. Ajit Kumar and Tejaswini Behera have been assigned to Ganjam, Pawan Kumar to Gajapati and Shiva Malavya to Kandhamal.

A Central government team visiting Odisha to assess Cyclone Arnab damage inspected Gajapati on Tuesday and is scheduled to visit Ganjam before returning to Bhubaneswar. District administrations have been asked to submit preliminary damage reports, followed by detailed assessments for submission to the Centre.

With Murasu weakening after crossing the Andhra coast, authorities remain focused on monitoring rainfall, restoring essential services and assisting people affected by the successive weather events.

PM Modi inaugurates Pune Metro projects worth Rs 21,800 crore

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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for Pune Metro projects worth around Rs 21,800 crore, marking a major step towards strengthening urban connectivity and expanding public transport infrastructure in Maharashtra.

Addressing the gathering through video conferencing, Modi extended Diwali greetings to the people of Pune and Maharashtra, saying that the joy of festivals becomes greater when new public facilities are added to people’s lives.

Recalling that he had laid the foundation stone for the first phase of Pune Metro around 10 years ago, the Prime Minister said the inauguration of the Hinjawadi-Shivajinagar corridor would improve connectivity to one of Pune’s major information technology hubs.

The new metro line, for which work was initiated through the foundation stone ceremony, would further strengthen links between the older and newer parts of the city.

Describing Pune as a historic centre of ideas that has consistently contributed to shaping the nation and society, Modi said the city was now emerging as an important hub of youth aspirations and innovation.

Its growing presence in information technology, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, startups, innovation and manufacturing was contributing to the vision of a Viksit Bharat.

He said the expansion of metro connectivity would provide fresh momentum to Pune’s development and support its emergence as a modern urban centre.

The Prime Minister observed that the identity of modern cities was no longer determined solely by their industries, popular cuisine or local products. Their competitiveness and the ease of living they offered to residents had also become important measures of urban development.

He said metro networks played an important role in improving both these aspects by reducing commuting time and providing greater convenience to passengers. Saving time in cities, he added, improved productivity, strengthened economic activity and ultimately benefited both poor and middle-class families.

Highlighting India’s progress in urban transportation, Modi said the country’s metro network had expanded to nearly 1,200 kilometres across 26 cities over the past 12 years, serving more than one crore passengers every day. He noted that India was now counted among the world’s three largest metro networks.

Referring to the expansion of metro infrastructure in Maharashtra, the Prime Minister said the state had only around 10 to 11 kilometres of operational metro lines in 2014. The network had since grown to nearly 175 kilometres, while construction was underway on more than 680 kilometres of additional metro lines, involving investments exceeding Rs 2.5 lakh crore.

He highlighted the employment opportunities created by these infrastructure investments, saying that the expenditure was generating work for labourers, engineers and people employed in shops and factories.

Another significant feature of the newly inaugurated Hinjawadi-Shivajinagar corridor, according to Modi, was its development through the Public-Private Partnership model.

He said the project demonstrated how cooperation between the government and private sector could accelerate infrastructure development and contribute to the country’s progress.

The Prime Minister said India’s infrastructure priorities over the past 12 years had included the expansion of rural roads, highways, expressways and railway networks, along with railway electrification, tunnels and bridges. In the coming years, he said, the country would increasingly focus on developing its cities into some of the best urban centres in the world.

Emphasising the importance of urban centres in India’s economic development, Modi said cities were not merely residential spaces but major centres of economic activity. He stressed the need to transform hundreds of smaller cities across the country into active growth hubs.

In this connection, he referred to the Urban Challenge Fund, approved in February this year, which is backed by Rs 1 lakh crore in Central assistance to mobilise investments worth several lakh crore rupees in urban development.

He urged urban local bodies and private sector partners to participate in the initiative in mission mode and expressed confidence that Maharashtra would further expand its contribution to the programme.

During his address, Modi also highlighted India’s economic growth and progress in reducing poverty, describing the two as significant achievements that had attracted international attention.

He said India had maintained the world’s fastest economic growth rate despite challenging global conditions. Referring to the latest World Bank report, he also highlighted that around 50 crore people had moved out of extreme poverty over the past 10 to 12 years.

The Prime Minister said these achievements were closely connected, as economic growth expanded government resources and created opportunities for greater public investment. He added that efforts to eliminate corruption and leakages had helped ensure that government assistance reached intended beneficiaries directly.

According to him, investments in roads, railways, airports, metro networks, electricity, drinking water and gas pipelines were improving people’s living conditions while generating employment opportunities.

Modi also highlighted the contribution of welfare initiatives such as housing for poor families, household toilets, tap water connections under Har Ghar Jal and cooking gas connections. He said these facilities had improved living standards, strengthened people’s confidence and saved valuable time that families could utilise to earn additional income.

Recalling his completion of 25 years as the head of a government last month, the Prime Minister spoke about his long-standing approach to poverty reduction through the empowerment of disadvantaged sections.

Odisha evacuates 1.65 lakh people; 54 ODRAF teams deployed

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Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has evacuated approximately 1.65 lakh people from several districts as it continues to monitor the situation following the damage caused by Cyclone Arnab and the movement of Cyclone Murasu, which made landfall in Andhra Pradesh late Monday night.

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari reviewed the situation on Tuesday, focusing on the flood-affected districts of Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal, as well as the possible impact of Cyclone Murasu on Odisha.

According to the minister, no district in Odisha had experienced any significant impact from Cyclone Murasu so far. The State recorded an average rainfall of around 2 mm over the preceding 24 hours. Puri received 12 mm of rainfall, while Malkangiri, Koraput and Ganjam recorded 10 mm or less.

Despite the limited rainfall associated with the system, the State government has kept its disaster response machinery on alert and is closely monitoring developments to deal with any eventuality.

Ganjam has accounted for the largest number of evacuations, with around 1,52,010 people moved to safer locations. The corresponding figures were 6,269 in Kandhamal, 5,073 in Malkangiri, 1,101 in Koraput, 736 in Rayagada and 620 in Gajapati.

The combined evacuation figure across these six districts has reached approximately 1,65,809. Around 592 permanent and temporary shelters are currently operational to accommodate people displaced from vulnerable areas.

The State has also strengthened its emergency response arrangements. Around 54 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams, nine National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and more than 100 Fire Service teams have been deployed in the concerned districts.

Senior officials of the district administrations are stationed in the field to supervise relief and rescue operations and ensure that affected residents receive the necessary assistance. Schools in the affected districts remain largely closed, with the respective District Collectors authorised to decide when educational institutions can reopen, depending on local conditions.

Meanwhile, the State government has begun steps to accelerate the assessment of losses and restoration of essential infrastructure damaged by Cyclone Arnab.

Minister Pujari said Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had already announced a compensation package covering damage to houses, agricultural land and businesses. The government has also directed the departments concerned to expedite repair and restoration work.

The Panchayati Raj, Rural Development, Works, Energy and Water Resources departments are undertaking infrastructure restoration on a war footing to bring essential services and facilities back to normal.

To speed up damage assessments, coordinate with district administrations and ensure that compensation reaches eligible beneficiaries without unnecessary delay, the government has deployed four IAS officers as Additional Special Relief Commissioners (Additional SRCs), granting them full powers.

Pawan Kumar, a 2024-batch IAS officer, has been assigned to Gajapati district. Ajit Kumar, a 2022-batch IAS officer, and Tejaswini Behera, a 2023-batch IAS officer, have been deployed in Ganjam. Shiva Malavya, a 2023-batch IAS officer, will oversee the work in Kandhamal.

The deployment is intended to strengthen administrative coordination in the three districts that have been particularly affected by the recent extreme weather conditions.

A Central government team currently visiting Odisha to assess the damage caused by Cyclone Arnab also visited Gajapati district on Tuesday for an on-ground inspection. The team is scheduled to visit Ganjam on Wednesday before returning to Bhubaneswar.

The respective District Collectors are coordinating with the visiting officials and arranging field inspections at locations identified for assessing the extent of damage.

The Minister said District Collectors in the affected districts had already been instructed to submit preliminary damage assessment reports as early as possible. Detailed final reports will subsequently be prepared and forwarded to the Government of India.

The assessment process is expected to provide a clearer picture of the losses suffered by households, farmers and businesses, as well as the damage to public infrastructure.

The State government has reiterated its commitment to supporting people affected by the cyclone and flooding. It is continuing relief operations while working to restore damaged infrastructure, complete loss assessments, and ensure that compensation and essential services reach those in need.

The review meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, Director General of Fire Services Sudhanshu Sarangi, and other senior officials from the concerned departments.

MAHAK-2026 brings together talented children from across Odisha at Kalinga Stadium

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Bhubaneswar: The five-day State-Level Children’s Festival, MAHAK-2026, was inaugurated at the Practice Ground of Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday, bringing together children from Child Care Institutions across Odisha to showcase their talents in art, culture, music and other creative activities.

Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida inaugurated the festival as the Chief Guest by releasing balloons into the sky. Addressing the participating children, she appreciated their talent, confidence and enthusiasm and encouraged them to pursue their dreams with determination.

Emphasising the need to ensure dignity, equal opportunities and proper guidance for every child under care and protection, Parida urged the participants to dream big and work towards their aspirations without limitations. She assured them that the State Government would continue to support them and create an environment in which they could realise their potential.

Law, Works and Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan attended the inaugural ceremony as the Guest of Honour. He praised the determination, enthusiasm and morale displayed by the participating children.

A major highlight of the inaugural programme was the unveiling of the ‘Orphan Survey Report 2025’, prepared by the Department of Women and Child Development.

The programme began with children from Adruta Shishu Gruha, Khordha, presenting the State Anthem, ‘Bande Utkala Janani’.

Children who secured top positions at district-level festivals across all 30 districts of Odisha are participating in the state-level event. Various competitions, including dance, music, painting, debate and quiz, have been planned to give them opportunities to demonstrate their abilities, explore their creativity and build confidence.

Organised by the Odisha State Child Protection Society (OSCPS) under the Department of Women and Child Development, the festival is being held from November 3 to 7 at Kalinga Stadium.

The programme has two segments. The first two days, under MAHAK, focus on creativity, arts and cultural expression, while the remaining three days will feature UTSAH, dedicated to sports and the broader development of children’s talents.

Winners of the MAHAK competitions will be felicitated at the concluding ceremony scheduled for November 4.

Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Department of Women and Child Development Dr Mrinalini Darswal, Director Monisha Banerjee and other senior departmental officials attended the inaugural ceremony.

Through the initiative, the state government aims to provide children under care and protection with opportunities, encouragement and guidance to develop their abilities and work towards an empowered and self-reliant future.

Odisha restores 97.58% of cyclone-hit tubewells, deploys 292 water tankers in affected areas

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Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has stepped up efforts to restore drinking water supply in cyclone-affected areas, with repair and disinfection work completed on nearly 98% of damaged tubewells across Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal districts.

According to the latest figures released on November 3, repair and disinfection work has been completed on 4,608 of the 4,722 tubewells affected by the cyclone, accounting for 97.58% of the total.

Restoration of rural piped water supply systems is also progressing. Of the 402 affected rural piped water supply projects, work has been completed on 275, representing 68.41% of the total.

As part of emergency arrangements to ensure access to safe drinking water, the government has deployed 292 water tankers across the affected areas. These include 23 tankers in the Berhampur Municipal Corporation area and seven in Aska municipal area. Additionally, 80 Syntex tanks and 87 DG sets have been deployed to support drinking water supply arrangements.

The government has also positioned 12 mobile water treatment units to strengthen water treatment facilities and provide alternative sources of safe drinking water. Two of these units are operating in the Berhampur Municipal Corporation area, while one has been deployed in Aska.

To meet immediate drinking water requirements, authorities have distributed 4.55 lakh packets of bottled water and 3.20 lakh water pouches so far. A further 4.03 lakh packets of bottled water have been kept in stock for distribution whenever required.

Meanwhile, disinfection of drinking water sources is continuing across the affected districts to prevent contamination and ensure the availability of safe water.

Drinking Water Director Binit Bhardwaj is stationed in the affected areas to assess the situation and oversee restoration activities. He is monitoring repair work, the disinfection of water sources, and emergency drinking water arrangements, with emphasis on completing the restoration process without delay.

The department has said that its efforts will continue until safe drinking water is available to people in all affected areas and the damaged water supply systems are fully restored.

Eminent neurosurgeon Dr. Ashok Mahapatra passes away

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Bhubaneswar: Odisha has lost one of its most respected medical minds. Padma Shri awardee and eminent neurosurgeon Dr. Ashok Kumar Mahapatra died on Monday. The news has left doctors, teachers and students across the state in deep grief.

Dr. Mahapatra had been under treatment at AIIMS New Delhi after suffering a severe brain stroke. His condition remained critical. He was moved from SUM Hospital in Bhubaneswar to the Delhi institute on October 2, 2026, following a serious neurological illness. Despite the doctors’ best efforts, he could not be saved, according to reports.

Over the years, Dr. Mahapatra built a strong name in neurosurgery and medical education in India. Colleagues and students knew him for his skill, his academic leadership and his push to improve specialised healthcare. His work brought national recognition to Odisha.

He was the inaugural Director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar. In that role, he helped establish the institute and strengthen it. He had a hand in shaping its academic, administrative and healthcare structure. That groundwork helped the institute grow into a major centre for medical education, research and patient care in the state.

His contribution did not stop at medicine. Dr Mahapatra also served as Vice-Chancellor of Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SOA) Deemed to be University in Bhubaneswar. His experience and leadership added to the university’s vision and growth.

The government of India honoured him with the Padma Shri, one of the country’s highest civilian awards, for his service in the medical field.

Dr Mahapatra’s work went well beyond the operation theatre. He was equally known for building institutions, supporting research and guiding young talent. Many doctors, medical students, researchers and healthcare workers are expected to draw inspiration from his legacy.

Grief has spread through Odisha’s medical and academic circles. His role at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, SOA University and the wider medical community will be remembered with respect and gratitude.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida expressed deep sorrow over his demise.

In a post on X, she said: “We express our tearful tribute to the world-renowned neurosurgeon, Padma Shri Dr. Ashok Mahapatra, on his demise. His passing is an irreparable loss to the medical world, including Odisha and the entire nation. Dr. Ashok Mahapatra’s life of selfless service will forever inspire all. May Lord Jagannath grant peace to his immortal soul and bestow infinite patience and strength upon the bereaved family to endure this sorrow.”