Cyclone Arnab: 17 Odisha districts hit by heavy rain, Gajapati worst hit

A view of damaged pandal structures blocking a road after it fell due to heavy winds and rain caused by Cyclone Arnab in Bhubaneswar. | Photo credit: ANI

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday (Oct 28, 2026) said 17 districts of Odisha were hit by heavy rainfall triggered by severe cyclonic storm Arnab, which crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast early this morning.

The state government is prepared to deal with any eventuality as the cyclonic system is expected to bring heavy rainfall till the morning of October 29 before it weakens.

Cyclone ‘Arnab’ LIVE update

The Central Water Commission (CWC) has warned that in view of very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall expected to continue in some parts of the state for the next two days, higher water levels than the normal flood situation were expected in the lower reaches of Mahanadi, Baitrani, Brahmani, Indravathi, Vamshadhara, Nagavalli, Sabari, Rishikulya, Daya and Bhargavi. Small tributaries of the lower Godavari and small east-flowing rivers may also witness flooding, the CWC said.

“Due to heavy rains and cyclonic winds, 17 districts have been affected. Gajapati is the worst affected district. We expect some districts in South Odisha to be further affected by the cyclone. In case of heavy rains, we could face a situation similar to the one we faced earlier,” Mr. Majhi said after taking stock of the situation in the state.

As many as 17 blocks in Odisha have recorded an average rainfall of 100 mm or more in the last 24 hours, he said. Pottangi block in Koraput district recorded the highest rainfall of 188 mm, followed by Mohana block in Gajapati district with 182.4 mm.

At the rain gauge station level, Mahendragarh in Gajapati district recorded the highest rainfall with 25 cm, followed by Pottangi in Koraput district with 19 cm.

“We have made preparations to ensure zero casualties. Hopefully we will achieve this target,” the chief minister said.

As many as 313 response teams have been deployed, including 60 teams of the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and nine teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). The state government has evacuated 43,827 people to 634 relief camps in eight districts.

Special measures were taken for pregnant women whose due dates were approaching. As many as 2245 pregnant women were shifted to nearby health centers while 931 babies were born during the movement of Cyclone Arnab.

Manorama Mohanty, director of the India Meteorological Center in Bhubaneswar, said gale-force winds of 40-50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph, were prevailing over southern Odisha. Ganjam, Gajapati, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri districts were expected to increase to 60-70 km/ha from the morning of October 28 with gusts to 80 km/ha continuing till night.

Thereafter, winds were expected to remain gusty, with speeds of 50–60 km/h and gusts reaching 70 km/h, until the morning of 29 October before gradually weakening.

“Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at several places, with extremely heavy rainfall at one or two places in Gajapati, Ganjam, Rayagada, Koraput, Nabarangpur and Malkangiri districts,” Ms Mohanty said.

Published – 29 Oct 2026 01:30 IST