Cyclone Arnab triggers heavy rainfall in Odisha, thousands evacuated from eight districts

Cyclone Arnab is moving west-northwestwards and is expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by Wednesday forenoon. Its forecast path matters because strong winds and heavy rain can affect both coastal areas and inland districts. Odisha is preparing for serious weather even though the storm’s landfall is expected farther south.

The IMD said the cyclone was moving at 20 kmph. Near Yanam, it was expected to become a very severe cyclonic storm, with winds of 125–135 kmph and gusts up to 150 kmph. In Odisha, Gajapati, Ganjam, Rayagada, Koraput, Nabarangpur and Malkangiri were under red warning for heavy to very heavy rain, lightning and gusty winds.

Malkangiri was expected to receive Odisha’s heaviest rain and strongest winds because it lies along the cyclone’s path. The state relocated people from eight districts, including Kalahandi and Nuapada, while emergency teams prepared for evacuations, blocked roads and other storm-related problems.

A “very severe cyclonic storm” is a category used by India’s Meteorological Department for a cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 118–166 kmph. Arnab’s forecast of 125–135 kmph falls within that category. The label matters because it signals a high risk of damage and dangerous conditions, not merely heavy rain.

Winds at 125–135 kmph can break branches, uproot trees, damage roofs and power lines, and make roads unsafe. Gusts reaching 150 kmph are sudden stronger bursts that can increase damage. The article also forecasts lightning, heavy to very heavy rain and surface winds of 60–80 kmph, reaching 90 kmph, across several Odisha districts.

The danger is managed through early evacuation and emergency deployment. Odisha moved people from vulnerable places, opened shelters and sent fire services, ODRAF and NDRF teams with equipment. These teams can support rescue, clear fallen trees and respond to damage after the storm passes.

Odisha’s preparations combined mass evacuation, shelter capacity, emergency personnel and dedicated funding. This matters because a cyclone can threaten people, roads, homes and essential services at the same time. Moving residents before conditions worsen reduces exposure in low-lying and otherwise vulnerable places.

The government relocated over 48,000 people in eight districts. It prepared 135 cyclone shelters and 1,600 temporary shelters. The state also sanctioned Rs 19 crore from its disaster response fund for preparedness and relocation. Emergency forces included 244 fire services teams, 60 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force teams and nine NDRF teams.

These resources had different roles. Shelters housed evacuees, while officials coordinated local action. Fire services and ODRAF teams were equipped to help evacuate residents and clear roads of uprooted trees. NDRF teams supported rescue and relief work. Ministers and senior IAS officers were sent to oversee operations in affected districts.

The cyclone’s hazards are not limited to wind. Heavy or very heavy rain can overwhelm drainage, flood low-lying areas and weaken slopes. Lightning can threaten people outdoors, while gusty winds can bring down trees and obstruct roads. These dangers matter because they can isolate communities and delay rescue or medical care.

The article highlights possible landslides caused by incessant rain. Gajapati had the maximum number of vulnerable landslide points identified, and officials were monitoring them closely. Fire services and ODRAF teams had equipment to remove uprooted trees, debris and other obstacles. Strong winds of up to 90 kmph were also forecast in several Odisha districts.

The administration prepared for human consequences as well. Nearly 3,000 pregnant women nearing delivery were identified and shifted to nearby hospitals across the state. Evacuations, shelters, monitoring and road-clearing teams were intended to reduce danger before the cyclone and maintain access to relief and medical services afterward.

Low-lying districts are vulnerable because water can collect quickly during intense rain, threatening homes, roads and access routes. Hilly districts face a different danger: saturated slopes can become unstable and slide. These risks make early relocation and close monitoring essential, especially when rainfall is expected to be heavy or very heavy.

Malkangiri was expected to receive Odisha’s maximum rainfall and wind speed because it falls under the cyclone’s path. Gajapati was also closely watched because officials identified the district as having the maximum number of vulnerable landslide points. Districts including Ganjam, Rayagada, Koraput and Nabarangpur were also under red warning.

The response matched these local risks. People were moved from vulnerable areas into cyclone and temporary shelters. Teams with equipment were deployed to clear roads and debris if landslides occurred. Officials, ministers and senior officers were assigned to oversee relief and rescue operations across the affected districts.

Cyclone preparation works as a chain of linked responsibilities. The IMD provides forecasts about the storm’s movement, wind and rainfall. State and district administrations use those warnings to identify vulnerable places, order evacuations and open shelters. This coordination matters because early information gives people and responders time to act before conditions become dangerous.

In Odisha, district collectors assessed evacuation needs, while 135 cyclone shelters and 1,600 temporary shelters received relocated residents. Nearly 3,000 pregnant women were shifted to hospitals. Ministers and senior IAS officers supervised operations in assigned districts. Fire services and ODRAF teams helped evacuate people and were prepared to clear roads of uprooted trees.

Nine NDRF teams were also deployed with equipment for rescue and relief. Officials monitored landslide-prone locations, especially in Gajapati. Before the cyclone, these groups focus on preparedness and protection. Afterward, they can clear debris, reopen roads, assist rescue efforts and help local authorities manage the post-cyclone situation.

A tropical cyclone is a large, organized storm that forms around a low-pressure center over warm tropical ocean water. It matters because the system can produce powerful winds, intense rain, lightning and dangerous coastal or inland impacts. Cyclone Arnab’s forecast illustrates these risks, with severe winds and heavy rainfall expected across parts of the region.

Warm ocean water causes evaporation, adding moisture to the air. Moist air rises and cools, releasing heat that helps more air rise and lowers pressure near the surface. Air then flows toward the low-pressure center. Earth’s rotation bends this moving air, helping it spin and organize. With enough warm water and limited disruption, the storm can strengthen.

The article reports Arnab moving west-northwestwards at 20 kmph and potentially becoming a very severe cyclonic storm near Yanam. Its predicted winds of 125–135 kmph, gusting to 150 kmph, explain why Odisha evacuated residents and deployed emergency teams.