Cyclone Arnab: Odisha Deploys 225 Rescue Teams

Coastal states are stepping up disaster preparedness as a developing storm over the Bay of Bengal threatens to bring intense rainfall and strong winds.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that Cyclone Arnab could intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm before reaching the Andhra Pradesh coast on October 28.

Although the storm is expected to make landfall in Andhra Pradesh, southern Odisha faces a significant risk of heavy rainfall, damaging winds and landslides.

Consequently, the Odisha government has cancelled leave for disaster management personnel and placed rescue teams on high alert.

According to Manorama Mohanty, Director of the Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, the system is expected to strengthen gradually.

It could develop into a cyclonic storm on October 26, become a severe cyclonic storm on October 27 and intensify further before landfall the following morning.

The IMD expects the storm to cross the coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam. Wind speeds could reach 115-125 kmph, with gusts of up to 140 kmph during landfall.

Meanwhile, authorities have issued a red alert for five southern Odisha districts on October 28.

These include Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri, where isolated extremely heavy rainfall is likely. Winds could reach 50-60 kmph, with gusts up to 70 kmph.

Additionally, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, Balangir, Puri, Khordha, Nayagarh, Bargarh and Nuapada may experience heavy to very heavy rainfall.

The weather system could also trigger landslides in hilly areas, particularly around vulnerable locations in southern Odisha. Rainfall activity is expected to continue on October 29 before easing significantly from October 30.

To strengthen emergency response, Odisha has proposed deploying 225 rescue teams across vulnerable regions, with coverage planned at block headquarters.

The teams will have 225 vehicles, 1,510 high-power chainsaws, 25 rescue tenders, 12 plasma cutters and 225 tower lights for nighttime operations.

Furthermore, the IMD has raised maritime warnings at all Odisha ports. Rough to very rough sea conditions are expected, and fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea until October 29.

With the storm approaching, authorities are prioritising emergency readiness, public safety and rapid rescue operations across vulnerable districts.

Image from Pxhere (Free for commercial use / CC0 Public Domain)

Image published on March 14, 2017

Image Reference: https://pxhere.com/en/photo/1141594