Cyclone Arnab: Odisha prepares to airlift people stranded by floodwater

Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force personnel are rescuing people in Sorada area of Odisha’s Ganjam district following flash flood situation caused by cyclone Arnab on Thursday (October 29, 2026). | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Roads were cut off and hundreds of villages inundated by floodwaters in Odisha’s Ganjam and Gajapati districts as the State government prepared to airlift people stranded by the deluge on Thursday (October 29, 2026).

Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to enquire about the situation following the weakening of Cyclonic Storm Arnab.

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“We have been informed that around 2,000 people have been marooned in Ganjam district, with floodwaters cutting them off from all sides. The district collector is on the ground monitoring rescue operations. We are in constant touch with the Ministry of Home Affairs,” State Chief Secretary Anu Garg said.

Ms. Garg said the Indian Coast Guard was on standby with rescue helicopters. However, persistent rain and low-hanging clouds were hampering aerial operations. Meanwhile, teams of the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) were working to rescue as many stranded people as possible.

Sources said the administration was prioritising the immediate airlifting of around 100 villagers from Sanakhemundi, Asika and the Gopalpur area of Ganjam district.

“Heavy rain over the past 24 hours has left several villages and towns submerged in Ganjam and Gajapati districts. We are hopeful that the water level will recede over the next five to six hours. The government will subsequently scale up relief operations,” the Chief Secretary said.

Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force personnel are rescuing people in Sorada area of Odisha’s Ganjam district following flash flood situation caused by cyclone Arnab on Thursday (October 29, 2026). | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), rain gauge stations at Patrapur and Sorada in Ganjam district recorded 546 mm and 503 mm of rainfall, respectively, in the 24 hours ending at 8.30 a.m. on Thursday (October 29) under the influence of Cyclonic Storm Arnab. G. Udayagiri in Kandhamal district and Mahendragarh in Gajapati district also recorded more than 400 mm of rainfall during the period. Three locations in central and southern Odisha recorded rainfall exceeding 300 mm, while eight others received more than 200 mm.

The cyclonic storm triggered widespread rainfall across southern and southwestern Odisha. More than 200 villages in 22 blocks across Ganjam and Gajapati districts were severely affected. The State government deployed 15 additional ODRAF units to Ganjam to intensify rescue and relief operations.

A stretch of National Highway 326 connecting Ganjam with Mohana was washed away by swirling floodwaters, severely disrupting road connectivity in the region. Road infrastructure also suffered extensive damage in Gajapati district. The hilly terrain compounded the situation, as torrents of rainwater rushed downhill into low-lying areas, triggering minor landslides and damaging infrastructure. Floodwaters were flowing over major roads at several locations, halting vehicular movement in the two districts.

The floods also damaged paddy crops nearing harvest in parts of southern Odisha, dealing a blow to farmers, besides disrupting normal life and transport.

Published - October 29, 2026 01:37 pm IST