Bhubaneswar, October 24: With impending cyclone Arnab expected to make landfall near the Andhra Pradesh coast on October 28 and impact south Odisha with heavy rain and gusty winds, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment KV Singh Deo on Saturday chaired a review meeting at the Krushi Bhawan here to assess department’s preparedness to tackle the situation.

To ensure maximum operational readiness, the Deputy CM directed cancellation of the leave of the officers of the department from October 25 to November 7. They have been directed not to leave their district headquarters.

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Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Secretary Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav, OUAT Vice-Chancellor Dr. Prabhat Kumar Raul, India Meteorological Department (IMD), Bhubaneswar Centre Director Dr. Manorama Mohanty, and Soil Conservation & Watershed Development Director Subrat Kumar Panda attended the meeting.

Mohanty briefed officials on the current status of the potential Cyclone 'Arnab', highlighting that heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected, with wind speeds likely restricted to 60–80 km/h.​

District Agriculture Officers, Horticulture Officers, and Soil Conservation Officers from across the state also joined the review virtually.

It was decided in the meeting to launch a dedicated Control Room and a Toll-Free Helpline Number (155333), operational from October 25 to address farmers' queries and provide continuous guidance. Farmers can call this helpline between 8 AM and 8 PM to receive crop management advice and weather-related guidance.

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Agriculture officers have also been instructed to conduct prompt field inspections immediately following the cyclone and heavy rain to assess damages and extend swift assistance.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi directed clouser of schools, colleges and anganwadi centres on October 28 and 29 in Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri districts, which are expected to bear the brunt of the storm. Collectors in other districts have been authorised to take a call on educational institutions depending on the evolving situation.