Bhubaneswar, October 27, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Odisha government has evacuated 47,830 people from high-risk areas and prepared 466 cyclone and flood shelters as the state braces for heavy rainfall and strong winds associated with severe cyclonic storm Arnab, which is expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast on October 28.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the storm was moving over the west-central Bay of Bengal at a speed of around 20 kmph during the preceding six hours. It was forecast to move northwestwards and cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam, by the forenoon of October 28.
The IMD forecast maximum sustained winds of 125–135 kmph, with gusts reaching 150 kmph, as the system crosses the coast.
Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said on Tuesday that, according to the state government’s assessment, the cyclone’s effects would be felt particularly in Malkangiri district after the system makes landfall in Andhra Pradesh and moves towards Odisha.
Pujari said the system was expected to move from Malkangiri towards Chhattisgarh. He warned that strong winds and rainfall were likely across Odisha, with heavy to very heavy rain forecast in several places and extremely heavy rainfall possible in isolated areas.
The minister said the state government had released ₹19 crore to eight vulnerable districts to support evacuation operations, food supplies and emergency preparedness.
According to reports received by the government, all 466 identified cyclone and flood shelters had been prepared, with 27 in Ganjam, 175 in Gajapati, 35 in Malkangiri, 47 in Koraput, seven in Rayagada, 134 in Nabarangpur, 14 in Kalahandi and 17 in Nuapada.
As of Tuesday morning, 47,830 people had been evacuated from the eight districts. The district-wise figures were 6,500 in Ganjam, 11,000 in Gajapati, 9,850 in Malkangiri, 5,000 in Koraput, 300 in Rayagada, 11,090 in Nabarangpur, 2,415 in Kalahandi and 1,675 in Nuapada.
Pujari said evacuation operations were continuing, with buses from the state Transport Department deployed at various locations to move residents from vulnerable areas to relief centres.
The government is also prioritising the safety of pregnant women. The minister said around 3,000 expectant mothers might require evacuation, although the number could increase. So far, 1,614 pregnant women had been evacuated, while more than 20 had safely delivered their babies at Community Health Centres (CHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs).
To strengthen emergency response operations, 48 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams, eight National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and 225 Fire Services teams had been deployed. Additional teams were being kept in reserve at Koraput, Chhatrapur and Mundali for deployment based on requests or requirements identified by district collectors.
Pujari said the government was continuously monitoring the cyclone’s speed, direction, trajectory and intensity in coordination with the IMD. Experts and scientists, working under the leadership of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), were analysing developments and sharing assessments with district administrations.
He said the state was keeping a close watch on the evolving situation and had made preparations to respond to the cyclone.
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