Cyclone Arnab Alert: Boat Services Halted in Chilika, Odisha on High Alert
Odisha prepares for Cyclone Arnab with red and orange alerts. Boat services in Chilika suspended and fishermen sheltered at Paradip Port.
Odisha is bracing for the impact of Cyclone Arnab as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red and orange alerts for heavy to extremely heavy rainfall. In response to the looming threat, state authorities have launched sweeping precautionary measures to ensure public safety and protect the livelihoods of those dependent on the sea.
Chilika Lake Locked Down
One of the most significant actions has been taken at Chilika Lake, where all boat and ferry operations have been completely suspended. The district administration in Khordha has imposed strict restrictions on boat movement from October 26 through October 29.
Amlan Nayak, the Chilika Wildlife Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), confirmed that the ban extends to fishing vessels and even forest department boats, which will only be deployed in cases of absolute emergency. To prevent damage, most passenger boats have been shifted to safer locations and anchored along the coast to withstand strong winds.
The forest department has also taken the following steps:
- Anchoring all departmental boats at their respective docks.
- Sending urgent awareness messages to all rangers.
- Using social media to warn tourists about the suspension of services until October 29.
The department is now coordinating closely with the police, district administration, and disaster management teams to be ready for any emergency rescue operations.
Safety Measures at Paradip Port
The danger is not limited to the lakes. At Paradip Port, the Port Authority has moved quickly to provide safe haven for the fishing community. To protect them from adverse weather, fishing boats and fishermen have been brought inside the Paradip Harbour.
Specifically, at the Eastern Quay-1 (EQ-1) berth, 305 fishermen have been accommodated to ensure they are out of harm's way while the storm passes.
Predicted Path and Impact
The IMD has warned that Cyclone Arnab is likely to intensify further. The current forecast suggests the cyclone will cross the Andhra Pradesh coast, specifically near the Bapatla-Visakhapatnam stretch, by the forenoon of October 28.
Warning for Andhra Pradesh
The weather bulletin also highlights severe conditions for parts of the Andhra Pradesh coast. Districts including Anakapalli, Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam, and Vizianagaram are expected to experience:
- Moderate rainfall.
- Squally winds ranging from 50-60 kmph.
- Wind gusts potentially reaching up to 70 kmph.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation as the region prepares for the landfall of the cyclone.