Bhubaneswar: Heavy rainfall triggered by Cyclone Arnab has led to flooding in parts of southern Odisha, disrupting road connectivity and prompting rescue and evacuation operations in Ganjam and neighbouring districts. The Rushikulya river has inundated stretches of road between Aska and Sorada, while disaster response teams are evacuating people from vulnerable locations.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said Cyclone Arnab weakened into a deep depression late on October 28, and was expected to weaken further as it moved northwards. The system is being monitored by Doppler weather radars at Gopalpur, Raipur and Sambalpur.
The Odisha government said relief, rescue and post-cyclone recovery operations are continuing, with public safety remaining its priority.
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4:00 PM: Coast Guard helicopter begins rescue in Ganjam
The Special Relief Commissiner of Odisha informed media that an Indian Coast Guard helicopter has begun rescuing stranded people in Ganjam district this afternoon. Fifty-four teams from the NDRF, the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force and the Fire Service are also working on the ground.
1:00 PM: Rail services disrupted as Bahuda river floods railway bridges
The East Coast Railway has cancelled nine trains and diverted 14 others on the Howrah–Chennai route on Thursday as the swollen Bahuda river inundated railway infrastructure. The Bhubaneswar–Visakhapatnam Vande Bharat Express, the Bhubaneswar–Visakhapatnam Intercity Express and the Visakha Express to Secunderabad are among the cancelled services. Water is flowing above the danger mark at two railway bridges between Ichchapuram and Jhadupudi. The railway attributed the situation to heavy rainfall in Ganjam district, where around 550 mm of rain reportedly pushed the Baghalati dam on the Bahuda river above its danger mark.
12:30 PM: Over 60,000 affected in Ganjam and Gajapati: Anu Garg
Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg said Ganjam and Gajapati districts received exceptionally heavy rainfall following Cyclone Arnab, with Patrapur recording 546 mm and Mohana and Sanakhemundi receiving 307 mm and 386 mm, respectively.
She told reporters that the intense downpour had caused rivers to swell and flow rapidly, making rescue operations particularly challenging in the hilly terrain, where even the movement of boats had become difficult. An estimated 42,500 people have been affected in Ganjam and around 20,000 in Gajapati, covering 22 blocks in Ganjam and seven in Gajapati. The administration has opened relief camps for affected residents, she informed.
12:00 PM: Home Minister Amit Shah assures support to Odisha
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said he had spoken to the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry, Odisha and Chhattisgarh, assuring them of the Centre’s full support in tackling the impact of the cyclone.
In a post on X, Shah said NDRF and SDRF teams were carrying out rescue and relief operations “on a war footing”. He added that Inter-Ministerial Central Teams (IMCTs) would soon be dispatched to assess the damage and determine the additional assistance required. Reaffirming the Centre’s commitment, he said the Government of India “stands with the people” affected by the disaster.
11:00 AM | Flood situation worsens in parts of Ganjam and Gajapati
Flooding and rain-related disruptions have affected several areas of Ganjam and Gajapati districts following heavy rainfall triggered by Cyclone Arnab.
In Ganjam’s Chikiti block, the Ghodahada river is flowing above the danger mark, raising concerns for settlements along its course.
In Mohana block of Gajapati district, four to five villages have reportedly been cut off after landslides and fallen trees disrupted access routes, complicating movement and connectivity.
Brahmapur has also reported localised flooding, with water entering homes in several neighbourhoods. Gajapati Nagar, Sakti Nagar and Nilachala Nagar are among the affected areas, while other localities have also experienced waterlogging and flooding.
Rescue and relief operations are continuing across southern Odisha as authorities monitor river levels, road access and the impact of persistent rainfall.
10:30 AM | ODRAF teams mobilised as flooding affects Ganjam and Gajapati
The Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) is stepping up rescue operations in the flood-affected areas of southern Odisha. Fifteen ODRAF teams are being deployed to Ganjam, with teams from Khordha, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack and Bhadrak being redirected to the district.
Two additional units—one reserve team from Koraput and another from Rayagada—will move to Gajapati. Six teams will be available for deployment in the district, with the Collector coordinating their placement according to local requirements.
Road connectivity between Aska and Sorada has been disrupted at several points after floodwater from the Rushikulya river submerged sections of the route.
10:00 AM | Evacuation underway near Rushikulya river bridge
People travelling across the Rushikulya river bridge near Aska are being evacuated as a precaution amid the flood situation. The operation is being carried out by ODRAF sub-teams 1 and 2 of the 8th Battalion based in Bhanjanagar.
Authorities are prioritising the safety of people in areas affected by rising water levels.
9:30 AM | Stranded villagers moved to safety in Sorada block
Rescue personnel have evacuated people stranded by floodwater in Palakatu village under Palakatu gram panchayat in Sorada block. A total of 15 people—six men, three women and six children—are being shifted to the local panchayat building for safety.
The operation is being conducted by sub-team 3 of the 8th Battalion based in Bhanjanagar.
9:00 AM | IMD says Arnab has weakened into a deep depression
In its National Bulletin No. 30, based on observations at 3am on October 29, the IMD said the deep depression was centred over north coastal Andhra Pradesh and adjoining areas of southern Odisha, southern Chhattisgarh and north-eastern Telangana.
The system was located approximately 60 km south of Malkangiri in Odisha, 90 km west-southwest of Paderu in Andhra Pradesh, 140 km south of Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh and 190 km east-northeast of Khammam in Telangana.
The IMD said the system was likely to weaken into a depression by the morning of October 29 and into a well-marked low-pressure area by the evening.
8:30 AM | Khordha records rainfall across several locations
Rainfall data for Khordha district on October 29 showed significant precipitation across several locations. Tangi recorded the highest amount at 110 mm, followed by Banpur at 80 mm and Chilika at 77 mm.
Other recorded figures included 56 mm in Balianta, 37.2 mm in Bhubaneswar, 33 mm in Khordha, 32 mm in Begunia and 31 mm in Balipatna. The district recorded an aggregate of 638.2 mm across the listed reporting locations, with an average of 45.59 mm.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation as rescue operations and relief measures progress across the affected districts.
