Cyclone Arnab Havoc: Landslides Block Taptapani Ghat, NH-326 Washed Away
Cyclone Arnab causes major landslides at Taptapani Ghat and damages NH-326 in Odisha, leaving several areas flooded and roads impassable.
The relentless onslaught of Cyclone Arnab Odisha landslide and heavy rainfall has wreaked havoc across the Gajapati and Ganjam districts. A massive landslide at Taptapani Ghat, located on the border of Gajapati and Ganjam, has brought vehicular movement to a grinding halt as hillsides gave way, dumping boulders and soil directly onto the roadway.
Critical Infrastructure Collapses
The devastation extends beyond the ghats. National Highway 326, a vital artery connecting Brahmapur with southern Odisha, has suffered severe structural damage. Near Ledbandh in the Mohana area, sections of the highway were completely washed away by the surging waters, leaving the route impassable for all commuters.
The human cost of these disruptions was felt acutely when an ambulance transporting a patient from Mohana to Brahmapur was forced to turn back. The crew was compelled to retreat after encountering the debris and active landslides blocking the path, highlighting the precarious state of emergency transit in the region.
Floods Grip Gajapati District
Since Wednesday, continuous torrential rain has transformed the landscape of the Gajapati district into a disaster zone. The Mahendratanaya River basin has experienced a flood-like situation, with water breaching its banks and invading residential areas.
Several locations in the Goshani block, including Bapuji Peinth, Bhinnala, and Baghasala, have seen floodwaters enter homes and streets, disrupting daily life for thousands of residents. The situation is further complicated by the inundation of agricultural fields, as rising water levels in various streams and rivers have submerged vast tracts of farmland.
Central Government Steps In
In response to the escalating crisis, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has stepped forward to coordinate relief efforts. He confirmed that the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Forces (SDRF) are currently deployed on the ground, conducting critical rescue and relief operations.
"In the wake of Cyclone Arnab, I spoke with the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry, Odisha and Chhattisgarh and assured them of every assistance to mitigate the hardship of the people in the face of the disaster," stated Amit Shah.
The central government's commitment comes as local authorities struggle with severe waterlogging in the Goshani block, where residents remain deeply concerned about the continuing rainfall and the stability of the region's infrastructure.