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Traffic on the Odisha–Andhra Pradesh National Highway- 16 near Brahmapur has been halted following reports that the Ichhapuram bridge has collapsed.
Ganjam Worst-Hit by Cyclone Arnab; 22 Villages Marooned
Cyclone Arnab has severely affected Ganjam district, with 42,500 people impacted and more than 11,000 evacuated. Patrapur block recorded the highest rainfall of 546 mm, surpassing previous records.
Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari said 299 villages across 208 gram panchayats, 22 blocks and 18 urban areas have been affected. Nine villages across seven gram panchayats in four blocks remain inundated, with rescue operations hampered by adverse weather and difficult access. Residents in two villages in Dharakote block have reportedly taken shelter on rooftops.
The Rushikulya river at Purushottampur is flowing above the danger mark, with water levels expected to rise further between 3 pm and 4 pm. The government is coordinating with the Centre to seek Air Force assistance, while naval support may also be deployed. Helicopter rescue operations have been delayed due to heavy cloud cover.
The state has increased disaster-response deployment in Ganjam to 52 ODRF teams, alongside 35 fire service teams. Sixteen additional boats, five high-power pumps and 25 private boats have also been deployed for rescue and relief operations.
Pujari said Ganjam is not currently in the danger zone due to rainfall, even as authorities continue to monitor the flood situation and intensify rescue efforts.
A pregnant woman from Khambarigaon village in Patrapur block suddenly developed labour pains but could not be shifted to a hospital due to inundated rivers. The ODRAF team was called in and reached the spot, carrying her on a stretcher to a safe location. She was subsequently transported in our vehicle to the Community Health Centre (CHC) for medical care.
#Ganjam #ArnabCyclone
In view of continued heavy rainfall and flooding, the Ganjam district administration has extended the closure of all Anganwadi centres, schools, degree colleges, technical institutions and university departments across the district until October 31, 2026.
The Gajapati District Education Officer has extended the closure of all government, government-aided and private schools from pre-primary to Class XII until October 31, 2026, in view of the continuing impact of Cyclonic Storm ‘Arnab’. Teaching and non-teaching staff have been directed to attend duty during the closure period, while ensuring students’ safety and well-being.
Power supply and mobile network services have been severely disrupted as Ganjam faces its worst cyclone since Phailin in 2013.
#Arnab
The Central Water Commission has warned of rising river levels and possible flooding in several Odisha districts amid forecasts of very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall on October 28–29. Flash flood guidance has been issued for 17 districts. River levels are rising at monitoring sites in Ganjam, Gajapati and Koraput, while increased inflows are expected into several reservoirs, including Balimela, Upper Indravati and Rengali.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to continue extending support from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and other central agencies following the landfall of Very Severe Cyclonic Storm ‘Arnab’ on the state’s coast.
The Odisha Government has effected a reshuffle of eight IAS officers, assigning new responsibilities across key departments and institutions. Dr Poma Tudu has been appointed Director of Agriculture and Food Production, while Sangram Keshari Mohapatra will take charge as RDC (Northern Division), Sambalpur. Shubham Saxena has been posted as Vice-Chairman of BDA, Dr Gavali Parag Harshad as Managing Director of NHM, and Vijay Amruta Kulange as RDC (Southern Division), Brahmapur. Chakravarti Singh Rathore has been given the additional charge of Director of Horticulture, while Pranati Chhotray has been appointed MD of OMFED. Subra Kumar Panda will hold the additional charge of MD of Odisha Agro Industries Corporation.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi accused Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik of politicising the Kotia boundary dispute. In a letter dated October 27, Majhi asserted that Kotia had been an integral part of Odisha since 1936 and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting the state’s territorial integrity and accelerating the region’s development.
1,000 People from Former Maoist-Affected Districts to Attend Rashtriya Ekta Divas in Gujarat
Around 1,000 people from 19 formerly Maoist-affected districts of Odisha will attend the Rashtriya Ekta Divas celebrations at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, on October 31. A special train carrying the participants will depart from Bhubaneswar, with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi scheduled to flag it off. The participants will witness the celebrations and Ekta Parade and share their experiences of Maoist violence and the transformation brought by peace and development in their regions. The event will highlight the achievements of anti-Naxal operations and the sacrifices of security personnel.
From 1 November 2026, private vehicle owners living within a 20 km radius of a National Highway toll plaza can buy an annual local toll pass. The pass costs ₹1,500 a year (if the plaza is outside municipal limits) or ₹3,000 a year (if it is inside municipal limits).
It allows unlimited crossings only at that specific plaza and requires a valid FASTag on a non-commercial vehicle. The pass will not be issued if a service road or alternative route is available. Vehicle owners may choose between this new annual option and the existing monthly pass.
The rules were notified by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on 26 October 2026.
@pandeyambarish
Ganjam Collector orders closure of all schools, degree colleges, technical institutions and university departments from October 27 to 29 in view of the IMD’s heavy to very heavy rainfall warning, while teaching and non-teaching staff must attend duty.
The Odisha Government has released ₹19 crore to eight district Collectors for operating relief camps in view of Cyclone Arnab, 2026. Ganjam has received the highest allocation of ₹5 crore, while Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi and Kandhamal have been allocated ₹2 crore each.
The Union Home Ministry has sought action on complaints concerning alleged custodial violence, misuse of power and law-and-order issues in Odisha. The state Home Department subsequently directed the DGP to examine the complaints and submit a factual report.
The Odisha government has assigned Deputy Chief Ministers and ministers to eight districts in view of the possible impact of Cyclone ‘Arnav’. They will stay in their assigned districts from October 27 to 29 to monitor preparedness and coordinate precautionary measures. Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo has been assigned Koraput, Pravati Parida Rayagada, Rabi Naik Kandhamal, Bibhuti Jena Ganjam, Krushna Chandra Patra Nabarangpur, Nityananda Gond Malkangiri, Mukesh Mahaling Kalahandi and Suryabanshi Suraj Gajapati.
In view of the possible cyclone situation in the state, the Odisha Government has directed all Additional Chief Secretaries (ACSs), Principal Secretaries, Commissioner-cum-Secretaries and Directors to remain available at headquarters from October 26
The Odisha Government has deployed five IAS officers to five cyclone-affected districts to oversee preparedness and coordinate post-cyclone relief, rehabilitation and restoration work. K. Sudarshan Chakravarthy has been assigned to Rayagada, Poma Tudu to Koraput, Bijay Kumar Dash to Gajapati, Yeddula Vijay to Malkangiri and Maheswar Swain to Nabarangpur. The officers have been directed to proceed to their respective districts immediately.
