Ganjam Worst Hit by Post-Cyclone Arnab Floods; Over 43,000 People Affected
Bhubaneswar, Oct 30 (UDN): Odisha Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari has reviewed the flood situation across the state as Ganjam continues to bear the brunt of heavy rainfall triggered by Cyclone Arnab. More than 43,000 people have been affected in the district, while around 23,000 residents have been evacuated to safer locations.
Floodwaters have inundated houses, submerged roads and disrupted communication in several parts of Ganjam, severely affecting normal life. Although rainfall intensity has declined over the past 24 hours, several villages continue to remain waterlogged.
Seven Districts Severely Affected
Seven districts — Ganjam, Gajapati, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Rayagada and Kandhamal — have been severely affected by Cyclone Arnab and the subsequent flooding.
Ganjam remains the worst-hit district, followed by Gajapati, while several other districts have also reported flood-related damage.
According to Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari, rainfall intensity has decreased during the past 24 hours, offering some relief to affected areas.
Parts of Ganjam that had earlier recorded around 400–500 mm of rainfall received 63.3 mm during the latest 24-hour period. Gajapati recorded nearly 25 mm, while Kandhamal received 22 mm.
Odisha Records 18.7% Excess Rainfall in October
The minister said Odisha received an average rainfall of around 25 mm during the last 24 hours.
Between October 1 and 30, the state recorded 130 mm of cumulative rainfall against the normal average of 111 mm, marking an excess of 18.7 per cent.
He noted that excessive rainfall had caused extensive damage to roads and triggered flooding across several districts, disrupting transportation and daily activities.
Over 300 Villages Affected in Ganjam
The flood situation remains serious in Ganjam, where 22 blocks and more than 300 villages have been affected.
Over 43,000 people have been impacted, while approximately 23,000 residents have been shifted to safer locations. Some villages continue to remain inundated.
Rescue operations have been intensified to reach people stranded in low-lying areas. Helicopters have been deployed for rescue efforts, with arrangements also being made for aerial food drops in inaccessible locations.
Food and Emergency Assistance for Affected Families
The minister said the district Collector and other officials had been instructed to ensure that affected residents receive cooked meals or packaged food.
Personnel from the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and Fire Services will also assist in distributing food and providing support to people in need.
Meanwhile, pregnant women shifted to relief shelters have reportedly delivered babies safely, highlighting the importance of medical assistance and emergency arrangements during the crisis.
Administration Steps Up Relief Operations
With rainfall intensity showing signs of decline, the administration is focusing on rescue operations, relief distribution and restoring connectivity in the affected districts.
Authorities are continuing to monitor vulnerable areas and ensure that displaced families receive essential supplies and assistance.
Despite the reduction in rainfall, the continued inundation of several villages remains a major concern, particularly in Ganjam, which has suffered the most extensive impact of the post-cyclone flooding.