📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / VIIRS imagery from NOAA's NOAA-21 satellite
Weather
Cyclone Arnab Floods 1,000 Villages in Odisha, Revenue Minister Visits Affected Areas
✍️ Kanak News Odisha
🗓 30 Oct 2026, 07:17 PM
👁 19
Cyclone Arnab has caused flooding in about 1,000 villages across Odisha. The state revenue minister inspected the damage and pledged relief measures.
The tropical cyclone named Arnab struck the eastern coast of India on Thursday, bringing heavy rains that turned into widespread flooding across the state of Odisha. Government officials estimate that roughly 1,000 villages have been inundated, with many hamlets cut off from road access and facing acute water shortages.
Odisha's Revenue Minister, Mr. Ramesh Patnaik, arrived in the most affected districts on Friday to assess the situation on the ground. Accompanied by district collectors and disaster‑response teams, he surveyed water‑logged fields, damaged homes and disrupted public utilities, noting that the scale of the disaster exceeds initial forecasts.
The minister announced an immediate deployment of relief kits, including dry rations, drinking water and temporary shelters, to the worst‑hit villages. He also directed the state disaster management authority to expedite the release of funds for repair of damaged infrastructure and to coordinate with the National Disaster Response Force for rescue operations.
Local authorities have begun evacuating residents from low‑lying areas and are setting up relief camps in nearby towns. The government urges citizens to stay alert, avoid flood‑prone zones and cooperate with rescue teams as the monsoon season continues.
While the cyclone is moving away from the coast, officials warn that residual rains could prolong waterlogging in some regions. Continuous monitoring will be carried out, and further assistance will be provided as needed.
Odisha's Revenue Minister, Mr. Ramesh Patnaik, arrived in the most affected districts on Friday to assess the situation on the ground. Accompanied by district collectors and disaster‑response teams, he surveyed water‑logged fields, damaged homes and disrupted public utilities, noting that the scale of the disaster exceeds initial forecasts.
The minister announced an immediate deployment of relief kits, including dry rations, drinking water and temporary shelters, to the worst‑hit villages. He also directed the state disaster management authority to expedite the release of funds for repair of damaged infrastructure and to coordinate with the National Disaster Response Force for rescue operations.
Local authorities have begun evacuating residents from low‑lying areas and are setting up relief camps in nearby towns. The government urges citizens to stay alert, avoid flood‑prone zones and cooperate with rescue teams as the monsoon season continues.
While the cyclone is moving away from the coast, officials warn that residual rains could prolong waterlogging in some regions. Continuous monitoring will be carried out, and further assistance will be provided as needed.