Bhubaneswar, October 28: Odisha has evacuated 31,255 people from eight districts and deployed nine National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams as the state steps up preparedness and emergency response measures to deal with the impact of Cyclone Arnab.

Chief Secretary Anu Garg on Wednesday reviewed the state’s preparedness, ongoing emergency response operations and post-disaster restoration and rehabilitation measures at the office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC).

SRC Rajesh Prabhakar Patil briefed the Chief Secretary on precautionary measures being undertaken in view of heavy rainfall and other potential impacts of the cyclone.

The state government has prioritised its ‘Zero Casualty’ mission, with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari directly monitoring the situation, officials said.

As part of the evacuation drive, 31,255 people from eight affected districts have been shifted to safety and accommodated in 324 operational shelters. The government has kept 2,067 shelters ready across the state, including 141 permanent and 1,926 temporary facilities.

Of the 4,139 pregnant women identified in vulnerable areas, 2,245 have been shifted to nearby hospitals and health centres as a precautionary measure to ensure timely medical care.

The government has cancelled holidays for employees involved in emergency response operations, while district control rooms are functioning round the clock. Schools and Anganwadi centres in affected areas have also been directed to remain closed.

In a precautionary move, 19,143 fishing boats have been brought safely ashore, including 11,955 from the sea and 7,188 from Chilika Lake.

For emergency response and rescue operations, the state has deployed 62 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams, nine NDRF teams and 244 fire service teams. The equipment mobilised includes 1,510 power chain-saws, 225 towing tenders, 110 boats, 135 water drainage pumps and 225 tower lights.

The government has sanctioned ₹19 crore in relief assistance for the eight affected districts. Ganjam has been allocated ₹5 crore, while Gajapati, Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi and Kandhamal have each been sanctioned ₹2 crore.

Heavy Rainfall Recorded Across Southern Odisha

According to rainfall data available until 8.30 am on Wednesday, Odisha recorded an average rainfall of 23.9 mm over the preceding 24 hours. More than 100 mm of rainfall was reported in 14 blocks and three urban areas.

Pottangi block in Koraput district recorded the highest rainfall at 188 mm, followed by Mohana in Gajapati district at 182.4 mm, Ganjam block at 161.4 mm, Chhatrapur at 154.6 mm and Similiguda at 143.1 mm.

Among the districts, Gajapati recorded the highest average rainfall at 121.2 mm, followed by Ganjam at 83.1 mm, Koraput at 61 mm and Puri at 54.2 mm.

To meet emergency requirements, the government has ensured adequate stocks of flattened rice, jaggery, rice, biscuits, polythene sheets and anti-snake venom.

Power Restoration Underway

Power restoration work is progressing in cyclone-affected areas. Under the jurisdiction of Tata Power Southern Odisha Distribution Limited (TPSODL), electricity supply has been restored to 13,20,705 of the 20,19,124 affected consumers, achieving a restoration rate of 65.41 per cent.

Gajapati district recorded the highest restoration rate at 81.16 per cent, followed by Malkangiri at 71.61 per cent.

The review meeting focused on safeguarding lives, accelerating the restoration of essential services and ensuring timely relief and rehabilitation in the affected districts as the state continues to respond to the cyclone’s impact.