Cyclone Arnab: 15,000 Vulnerable People Identified for Evacuation in Odisha's Gajapati
Gajapati DC identifies 15,000 vulnerable people and 281 shelters as Cyclone Arnab threatens the coast with red and orange alerts.
As the threat of Cyclone Arnab looms over the coast, the Gajapati district administration in Odisha has shifted into high gear to ensure zero casualties. District Collector and Magistrate Akshay Sunil Agrawal announced that 15,000 vulnerable individuals have been identified for immediate evacuation to ensure their safety before the storm hits.
Strategic Shelter Deployment
To manage the massive evacuation effort, the district has mapped out 281 cyclone and temporary shelters. These facilities are not mere halls; they have been fully equipped to provide essential life-support services for those displaced by the weather. According to the District Collector, these shelters are stocked with:
- Adequate food supplies and drinking water.
- Necessary sleeping arrangements.
- Proper sanitation facilities.
Special Care for Expectant Mothers
In a targeted effort to protect the most fragile populations, the administration has launched a specific relocation plan for pregnant women. Approximately 210 women, whose delivery dates fall within the next 15 days, are being moved to safer environments. They are being relocated to maternity homes, Primary Health Centres (PHCs), and Community Health Centres (CHCs) to ensure medical assistance is available during the storm.
Combatting Landslides and Blockages
Beyond the wind and rain, the district is bracing for the risk of landslides in hilly terrains. The administration has deployed public address systems to run extensive awareness campaigns in landslide-prone zones. To ensure roads remain open and rescue operations can proceed without delay, heavy machinery, including JCBs, has been pre-positioned at critical points.
Deployment of Rapid Response Forces
A robust security and rescue grid has been established across various blocks of the district. The emergency response team includes:
- 10 dedicated fire service teams.
- Two teams from the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF).
- One team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
The Forecast: Red and Orange Alerts
The urgency of these preparations stems from the government's forecast for Cyclone Arnab. The district is facing an orange warning for October 27-28, which will escalate to a red warning for October 28-29.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has reported that the severe cyclonic storm, currently over the West Central Bay of Bengal, is expected to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm within 12 hours. It is projected to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts, specifically between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, by the forenoon of October 28.