Odisha Intensifies Rescue Operations After Cyclone Arnab Floods Ganjam and Gajapati

According to the Press Trust of India, the Odisha government intensified rescue and relief operations following severe flooding caused by heavy rainfall during cyclone Arnab. Authorities reported that around 50,000 people were affected and thousands stranded for over 24 hours in the Ganjam and Gajapati districts.

Rescue Operations and Deployments

• More than 100 rescue teams, including National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) personnel, were deployed.
• Defence helicopters and the Indian Coast Guard were called in to assist with air-dropping food packets and airlifting stranded residents in areas where strong currents prevented boats from operating.
• Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari stated that helicopters were requisitioned to reach 21 identified inaccessible locations.

Impact and Official Statements

• Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi noted that while authorities anticipated impacts in Malkangiri, the unprecedented rainfall in Ganjam caused unexpected severe floods, with Patrapur block recording 54 cm of rain in 24 hours.
• Chief Secretary Anu Garg stated that Ganjam's 24-hour rainfall volume exceeded its annual average.
• The overflowing Rushikulya river caused extensive infrastructure damage, including a 30-foot breach near Achhuli, a washed-away bridge near Patashala, and disrupted road links between Aska, Berhampur, and Sorada.
• Ganjam Collector V Keerthi Vasan confirmed that relief distribution has been ongoing since Thursday.

Verification of official updates can be done through statements released by the Odisha government and reports from accredited news agencies.