Chief Secretary Anu Garg reviews post-cyclone flooding as 28,764 people are evacuated to shelters, while rising river levels disrupt rail services near the Odisha–Andhra Pradesh border.
Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg on Thursday reviewed the flood situation in Ganjam and Gajapati districts following extremely heavy rainfall triggered by Cyclone Arnab, directing officials to intensify relief measures and prioritise the safety of affected residents.
During a review meeting at the Special Relief Commissioner’s (SRC) control room, Garg discussed the response with SRC Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, Ganjam District Collector V. Keerthivasan and Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari. The state government said it was continuously monitoring the post-cyclone situation and coordinating relief and recovery operations.
According to the government, around 42,500 people have been affected in Ganjam and 20,000 in Gajapati. The impact extends across 22 blocks, 208 gram panchayats and 299 villages in Ganjam, and seven blocks, 110 gram panchayats and 711 villages in Gajapati.
A total of 11,882 people have been evacuated to cyclone and flood shelters in Ganjam, while 17,441 have been moved to safer locations in Gajapati. However, 2,328 people in 70 villages in Ganjam remain surrounded by floodwater, the release said.
With strong currents preventing rescue teams from reaching some affected locations, the government is considering airlifting stranded residents if the situation demands it. District Collectors have been asked to identify locations where aerial evacuation may be necessary. Officials have also been advised to ensure the availability of cooked food, drinking water and other essential supplies in affected areas. The Chief Secretary has contacted senior authorities regarding the possible deployment of specialised Indian Coast Guard helicopters.
Rescue teams deployed in both districts
The government has deployed 27 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams, three National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and 24 Fire Service teams in Ganjam. In Gajapati, 12 ODRAF teams, one NDRF team and 12 Fire Service teams are engaged in response operations.
The administration has also relocated 550 pregnant women in Ganjam and 420 in Gajapati to safer locations as a precaution.
Garg reviewed the preparedness measures taken before the cyclone and the response to the subsequent flooding. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari is also monitoring the relief, restoration and rehabilitation efforts.
Heavy rain swells Bahuda river, disrupts rail services
Extremely heavy rainfall in the catchment areas of the Baghalati reservoir and the Bahuda river, particularly in Chikiti and Patrapur blocks of Ganjam district, has led to a sharp rise in water levels and flooding downstream.
The government said water had been released through four gates of the Baghalati reservoir after inflows rose to 550 cubic metres per second by 11 am on October 28, following heavy rainfall in the upper catchment since the previous evening.
Between 11 am and 7 pm on October 28, Patrapur recorded 546 mm of rainfall, while Chikiti received 289 mm. The intense downpour increased the flow of the Bahuda river and inundated areas along its lower reaches.
Rail services have also been disrupted near the Odisha–Andhra Pradesh border. Railway authorities reported an abnormal rise in water levels at Bridge No. 1052 near Dangueda, between Ichchapuram and Jhadupudi stations. Several trains were stranded on both sides of the state border.
The Odisha government is coordinating with the administrations of Ganjam and Srikakulam districts and East Coast Railway officials in Visakhapatnam and Bhubaneswar to manage the disruption. Garg has asked the Ganjam Collector to take necessary measures and ensure that passengers stranded on trains receive essential information and assistance.
The state government said it would continue to monitor the situation and coordinate emergency response measures to protect residents and reduce the impact of the post-cyclone flooding.
