Cyclone Arnab: Red Alert for Odisha as Severe Storm Looms; 225 Fire Teams Deployed
IMD issues red and orange alerts for Odisha as Cyclone Arnab intensifies. 225 fire teams and NDRF deployed for rescue operations.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded a high alert for Odisha as Cyclone Arnab gathers strength in the Bay of Bengal. With the system expected to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm, the IMD has issued red and orange alerts, warning of extremely heavy rainfall, destructive winds, and the potential for landslides across several districts.
The Path of the Storm
According to Manorama Mohanty, Director of IMD Bhubaneswar, Cyclone Arnab has been traversing the east-central and west-central Bay of Bengal at a speed of 15 kilometres per hour. The storm is projected to follow a west-northwestward trajectory.
The intensification timeline is as follows:
- October 26: Likely to become a severe cyclonic storm by midnight.
- October 27: Expected to further intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm.
- October 28: Projected to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast near Yanam, between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam.
At the time of landfall, the storm is expected to pack maximum sustained wind speeds of 115 to 125 kilometres per hour, with gusts reaching up to 140 kilometres per hour.
Rainfall Forecast and Alerts for Odisha
The impact of Cyclone Arnab is expected to be felt in Odisha starting from the evening or night of October 27. The IMD has detailed a phased rainfall pattern:
October 27: Orange Alert
Heavy to very heavy rainfall (between 12 cm and 20 cm) is predicted for isolated areas in Puri, Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, and Koraput. Additionally, isolated heavy rainfall is forecast for a wide array of districts, including Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Nayagarh, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, Boudh, Nuapada, and Balangir.
Wind speeds of 40 to 50 kmph, gusting to 60 kmph, are likely in Mayurbhanj, Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, and Puri.
October 28: Red Alert and Widespread Rain
The intensity is expected to peak on October 28 with widespread rainfall across the state. Isolated extremely heavy rainfall is forecast for Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, and Malkangiri. Other areas, including Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Balangir, Puri, Khordha, Nayagarh, Bargarh, and Nuapada, are also expected to witness heavy to very heavy rainfall.
The IMD indicates that this rainfall activity will persist into October 29 before receding significantly by October 30.
State Preparedness and Rescue Operations
In response to the looming threat, the Odisha government has activated a massive emergency response plan. Inspector General of Police (IGP) of Fire and Emergency Services, Dr. Umashankar Dash, confirmed that the state has identified six high-focus districts: Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Gajapati, and Ganjam.
To mitigate the risks of flooding and landslides, the following resources have been mobilized:
- Personnel: 225 fire service teams and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel have been deployed.
- Equipment: Highly sophisticated vehicles and specialized rescue gear are being moved into vulnerable zones.
- Water Rescue: More than 100 boats have been deployed to handle potential flooding.
A state-level command centre has been established to coordinate the rescue and relief efforts as the state braces for the storm's impact.