Two days after Cyclone Arnab crossed the coast, its worst damage in Odisha is coming from the sky, not the wind. Unprecedented rainfall has flooded large parts of Ganjam and Gajapati districts, cutting off thousands of people for more than 24 hours. With roads washed out and floodwaters too strong for boats in some areas, the state has requisitioned defence helicopters to drop food packets at 21 locations in Ganjam that cannot be reached any other way.
Record Rain in Ganjam
The scale of the downpour has shocked even seasoned officials. Patrapur block in Ganjam recorded a staggering 54 cm of rain in just 24 hours. Chief Secretary Anu Garg said Ganjam received more rain in that one day than the area's usual yearly average. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi admitted that the state had expected Malkangiri to bear the brunt, adding that "nobody could imagine that such heavy rainfall could occur in Ganjam district".
How Arnab Turned Into a Rain Disaster
Cyclone Arnab made landfall near Yanam on the Andhra Pradesh coast earlier this week. As it moved inland and weakened, it dragged huge amounts of moisture over southern Odisha. Instead of the strong winds that usually cause the most damage during cyclones, it was the slow-moving rain band that did the harm, emptying itself over the hills and river valleys of Ganjam and Gajapati. Streams swelled within hours, and many villages found themselves surrounded by water before they could move out.
Which Areas Are Hit the Hardest
Ganjam is the worst-affected district, followed by Gajapati. Kandhamal, Koraput and Rayagada have also seen heavy damage, waterlogging and broken roads. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said around 50,000 people in Ganjam alone have been severely affected. District-level figures shared by the state put the affected population at over 42,000 in Ganjam, about 30,000 in Gajapati and around 12,000 in Kandhamal, and those numbers are still being updated.
No deaths had been officially reported in the latest updates, but officials say the situation remains serious in low-lying villages along rivers and streams.
| Key Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Cyclone | Arnab (Bay of Bengal) |
| Worst-hit districts | Ganjam, Gajapati |
| Other affected districts | Kandhamal, Koraput, Rayagada |
| Highest rainfall | 54 cm in 24 hours at Patrapur, Ganjam |
| Severely affected in Ganjam | About 50,000 people (state minister) |
| Rescue teams deployed | 313, with 100+ in Ganjam and Gajapati |
| Air-drop points | 21 locations in Ganjam |
| Agencies | NDRF, ODRAF, Fire Services, Defence, Indian Coast Guard |
How the Rescue Is Being Run
The state has deployed 313 rescue teams, with more than 100 of them in Ganjam and Gajapati. NDRF and ODRAF personnel, along with fire services, have been working through the night, but rushing water has kept them out of some pockets. With the rain easing over the past 12 hours, teams are now expected to reach more villages and hand out cooked food.
Defence helicopters will air-drop food packets at the 21 cut-off points, and the Indian Coast Guard has been asked to airlift stranded people and drop supplies in hard-to-reach areas. People from vulnerable spots have been shifted to relief camps, which are stocking dry food, rice, jaggery, polythene sheets and drinking water. Pregnant women are being moved to safer places with access to doctors and medicines.
Minister Pujari chaired a review at the State Emergency Control Room in Bhubaneswar and directed officials to restore roads and power supply "on a war footing".
Impact Beyond Odisha
Arnab's remnants have also hurt farmers in neighbouring Chhattisgarh, where untimely rain has damaged standing paddy. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has ordered a crop-damage assessment ahead of paddy procurement, due to begin on November 15.
Safety Tips for Residents
- Do not try to wade or drive through flowing water, even if it looks shallow.
- Stay away from fallen electric lines and waterlogged transformers.
- Drink only boiled or packaged water to avoid water-borne diseases.
- Follow only official advisories from the district administration and the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority.
- Call the emergency helpline 112 if you or anyone near you is stranded.
What Happens Next
As the water slowly recedes, the focus will shift from rescue to relief – restoring roads, electricity and drinking water, and preventing disease outbreaks in the camps. Once the damage survey is complete, the state is expected to announce compensation for crop and house losses. Residents should keep watching IMD and district updates, since more rain over the next couple of days could slow down recovery.
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