Cyclone Arnab floods Odisha, displaces thousands and disrupts rail services

Cyclone Arnab triggered severe flooding across nine districts of Odisha after heavy rainfall caused rivers to overflow and embankments to breach. Ganjam, Gajapati and Malkangiri were among the worst-affected areas, with settlements inundated and hundreds of families left stranded.

Authorities evacuated more than 59,000 people, including 3,001 pregnant women, and deployed 313 rescue teams. The teams included nine National Disaster Response Force units, 60 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force teams and 244 Fire Services teams.

“We are badly affected. I do not think we can stand up. Arnab damaged our houses and crops.”

In Ganjam, floodwaters left 2,328 people stranded across 70 villages, while around 300 villages in the district were affected. An Indian Coast Guard helicopter completed its first rescue sortie on Thursday afternoon as airlifting operations began.

Flooding damaged homes, crops, roads and electricity infrastructure, and mud embankments built to keep seawater out gave way under high waves. Rail services were disrupted near the Andhra Pradesh-Odisha border, and national highways were also affected.

Educational institutions in Ganjam and Gajapati were ordered shut until October 31. Rescue and restoration operations continued as residents assessed damage to their homes, crops and livelihoods.

Authorities coordinated with the Union Home Ministry to arrange aerial rescues after rising water prevented disaster response personnel from reaching some locations. Further helicopter sorties followed the initial evacuation flight.