Cyclone Arnab: 17 Odisha districts affected by heavy rain, Gajapati worst hit

A view of damaged pandal structures blocks a road after falling down due to strong winds and rain triggered by Cyclone Arnab, in Bhubaneswar. | Photo Credit: ANI

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday (October 28, 2026) said 17 districts of Odisha had been affected by heavy rainfall triggered by severe cyclonic storm Arnab, which crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast early in the day.

The State government is prepared to deal with any eventuality, as the cyclonic system is expected to bring heavy rainfall until the morning of October 29 before weakening.

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The Central Water Commission (CWC) warned that in view of the very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall predicted to continue in parts of State for next two days, higher water levels to above normal flood situation was expected in lower reaches of Mahanadi, Baitrani, Brahmani, Indravathi, Vamshadhara, Nagavalli, Sabari, Rishikulya, Daya and Bhargavi. Small tributaries of the lower Godavari and small east-flowing rivers may also witness flooding, said the CWC.

“Due to heavy rain and cyclonic winds, 17 districts have been affected. Gajapati is the worst-hit district. We expect some districts in southern Odisha to be battered further by the cyclone. In the event of heavy rainfall, we could face a situation similar to the one we encountered earlier,” Mr. Majhi said after reviewing the situation in the State.

As many as 17 blocks in Odisha recorded an average rainfall of 100 mm or more in the past 24 hours, he said. Pottangi block in Koraput district recorded the highest rainfall at 188 mm, followed by Mohana block in Gajapati district at 182.4 mm.

At the rain gauge station level, Mahendragarh in Gajapati district recorded the highest rainfall at 25 cm, followed by Pottangi in Koraput district at 19 cm.

“We have made preparations with the objective of ensuring zero casualties. Hopefully, we will achieve this target,” the Chief Minister said.

As many as 313 response teams, including 60 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams and nine National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, have been deployed. The State government has evacuated 43,827 people to 634 relief camps across eight districts.

Special arrangements were made for pregnant women nearing their delivery dates. As many as 2,245 pregnant women were shifted to nearby health centres, while 931 babies were born during the movement of cyclone Arnab.

Manorama Mohanty, Director of the India Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar, said squally winds with speeds of 40–50 kmph, gusting to 60 kmph, were prevailing over southern Odisha. Wind speeds were expected to increase to 60–70 kmph, gusting to 80 kmph, from the forenoon of October 28 in Ganjam, Gajapati, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri districts, and continue until the night.

Thereafter, winds were expected to remain squally, with speeds of 50–60 kmph and gusts reaching 70 kmph, until the morning of October 29, before gradually weakening.

“Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at a few places, with extremely heavy rainfall at one or two places, in Gajapati, Ganjam, Rayagada, Koraput, Nabarangpur and Malkangiri districts,” Ms. Mohanty said.

Published - October 29, 2026 01:30 am IST