Cyclone Arnab Batters Odisha and Andhra Pradesh as Relief and Rescue Work Ramps Up

Rescue Operations

Over 300 teams from various disaster response groups are on the ground in Ganjam and eight other districts of Odisha following severe damage from Cyclone Arnab. State Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari stated that 313 teams are leading the rescue efforts, including nine teams from the National Disaster Response Force, 60 from the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force, and 244 from the Fire Services Department. Officials report that 59,028 people have been moved to safety after floodwaters entered their homes, and this number includes 3,001 pregnant women and 11,882 individuals from Ganjam alone.

Damage and Disruption

Neighbouring Andhra Pradesh has faced an estimated loss of ₹4,600 crore from the cyclone, according to a preliminary assessment shared by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. Mr. Naidu completed an aerial survey over the Krishna and Godavari regions and visited flood victims in Cheyyeru village and Gacchakayala Pora village. He noted that prior cyclone preparations kept the death toll down to seven. Meanwhile, heavy rain caused the Bahuda river in Odisha's Ganjam district to flow above the danger mark at two railway bridges. This forced the cancellation of 36 trains, the diversion of 30 trains, and the rescheduling of eight others on the Howrah-Chennai route.

Reactions and Response

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi shared his deep concern on X over the widespread damage in Andhra Pradesh and the heavy flooding in Odisha. He called on state authorities to make sure that relief and rehabilitation reach every affected family without delay.

Context

Severe cyclonic storms frequently hit India's eastern coastline during the monsoon and post-monsoon seasons, bringing heavy rainfall, river overflow, and widespread property damage. State governments typically deploy specialized disaster relief forces like the NDRF and state units to evacuate vulnerable populations from low-lying areas before and during such storms to minimize casualties.