India News | Odisha Deputy CM Reviews Cyclone Arnab Preparedness; 31 NDRF Teams Deployed Across Five States
Get latest articles and stories on India at LatestLY. Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida held a meeting with district-level officials and disaster response agencies as preparations intensified for Cyclone Arnab, while the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) said 31 teams had been deployed across five states and the Union Territory of Yanam to support evacuation and relief operations.
Rayagada (Odisha) [India], October 27 (ANI): Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida held a meeting with district-level officials and disaster response agencies as preparations intensified for Cyclone Arnab, while the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) said 31 teams had been deployed across five states and the Union Territory of Yanam to support evacuation and relief operations.
The meeting was held at the OSWAN video conferencing hall in Rayagada and was attended by district-level officials, NDRF and Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) personnel, and the fire services team.
NDRF Deputy Inspector General Mohsen Shahedi said meetings had been held at the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and at the level of the Cabinet Secretary to formulate a strategy aimed at preventing loss of life during the cyclone.
"Considering this, we had meetings at the NDMA and at the level of the Cabinet Secretary to work out a strategy to counter this and ensure that there is a zero-casualty cyclone," Shahedi said.
Also Read | Viral Video of Leopard Sighting Near Mumbai’s Dindoshi Triggers Concern; Forest Officials Urge Calm.
He said 31 NDRF teams had been requisitioned and deployed across Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, Chhattisgarh and Yanam.
"In Andhra, we have 12 teams; in Odisha, we have 9 teams; in Chhattisgarh, we have 4 teams; in Telangana, we have 3 teams; and in Yanam, we have 2 teams," he said.
Apart from the NDRF deployment, 60 ODRAF teams have been mobilised in Odisha, while around 11 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams have been deployed in Andhra Pradesh and other areas. SDRF teams have also been deployed in Chhattisgarh, Shahedi added.
He said evacuation plans had been prepared and the process was already underway in areas likely to be affected by flooding, particularly low-lying locations.
"The evacuation plan is ready, and as per the requirement in impact areas where there could be flooding in low-lying areas, the process of evacuation is already in place and underway right now," Shahedi said.
Cyclone Arnab is approaching the Andhra Pradesh coast, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting landfall near Yanam on Wednesday morning, accompanied by winds reaching 135 kmph and gusts of up to 150 kmph, as heavy rainfall triggers waterlogging and transport disruptions, and authorities intensify precautionary measures.
IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said the cyclone would cross the coast between Visakhapatnam and Yanam as a very severe cyclonic storm, bringing large-scale damaging winds that could disrupt power and communication services.
"The wind speed will be 125 to 135 kilometres per hour, with gusts up to 150 kilometres per hour. These wind speeds are typical of a very severe cyclostorm, and they are large-scale damaging winds. Because of this, there's a risk of power and communication disruptions," Mohapatra said.
He warned that standing paddy crops and horticultural crops in the affected areas faced a high risk of extensive damage due to strong winds. He also recommended regulated offshore transport, citing extremely rough sea conditions.
"These wind speeds are typical of a very severe cyclostorm, and they are large-scale damaging winds. Because of this, there's a risk of power and communication disruptions. Standing crops like paddy and all the horticulture crops in this area have a high chance of suffering large-scale damage due to the wind. We have recommended regulated offshore transport. The sea is currently very rough. We're seeing phenomenal sea conditions right now. Waves up to 14 metres high are forming. This makes it unsafe for ships and boats," he said.
Mohapatra warned that the combination of the cyclone and tidal waves could lead to flooding in coastal areas. East Godavari district is expected to experience the highest peak storm surge, with water levels rising by 1 to 1.5 metres and potentially inundating low-lying areas with seawater.
"You can expect heavy to extremely heavy rainfall today and on the 28th in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha," he said, adding that after crossing near Yanam, the cyclone would move in a north-northwest direction, affecting extreme southern Odisha and adjoining areas of northeast Chhattisgarh and northeast Telangana.
IMD Hyderabad Director Stella said the cyclone had moved west-northwestwards at a speed of 20 kilometres per hour over the west-central Bay of Bengal.
"It is likely to move west-northwestwards until this evening, 27th October, and thereafter, it is very likely to move northwestwards and cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts, between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam as a very severe cyclonic storm tomorrow forenoon, 28th October," she said.
Stella said the storm was located around 220 kilometres south-southeast of Visakhapatnam, 240 kilometres east-southeast of Kakinada and 340 kilometres east-southeast of Machilipatnam.
"It is lying about 220 kilometres south-southeast of Visakhapatnam, 240 kilometres east-southeast of Kakinada, and 340 kilometres east-southeast of Machilipatnam. It is likely to move west-northwestwards until this evening, 27th October, and thereafter, it is very likely to move northwestwards and cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts, between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam as a very severe cyclonic storm tomorrow forenoon, 28th October. It will have a wind speed of 125 to 135 kilometres per hour, gusting up to a maximum speed of 150 kilometres per hour," she said.
Telangana is also likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places on Wednesday, particularly in Mulugu, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Mahabubabad and Khammam districts. Isolated heavy rainfall is also likely in Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Warangal, Hanamkonda and Suryapet districts. Hyderabad is expected to receive light rain at one or two places on Wednesday, according to her.
In Visakhapatnam, intense rainfall associated with the cyclone has led to waterlogging in the vehicular subway beneath the railway track at Convent Junction, disrupting traffic and creating navigation hazards for commuters.
Visakhapatnam Municipal Commissioner Ketan Garg said the city administration was preparing for the cyclone's expected landfall by Wednesday morning.
He said six of Visakhapatnam city's 10 zones had been classified as highly vulnerable, while the remaining four were moderately vulnerable. The administration has identified around 57 rehabilitation centres and 122 low-lying areas, with residents being asked to shift to relief centres.
"Particularly, out of 10 zones of Visakhapatnam city, 6 zones are highly vulnerable, and 4 zones are moderately vulnerable. We have identified around 57 rehabilitation centres. We have identified around 122 low-lying areas. In all such places, people are being asked to shift to the relief centres. We have 20 rapid response teams in place across Visakhapatnam city across 10 zones with sufficient manpower and machinery on shift-wise duty, with machines like pole cleaners, JCBs, strippers, cranes, and power saws," Garg said.
He added that the city operational centre had been functioning round the clock since Monday evening. The toll-free number is 1800-425-0009, while zonal control rooms are operational in all 10 zones. The city operation centre is receiving calls and coordinating restoration work, while the district administration is also running a control room.
Garg said the administration had issued public advisories and urged residents to remain indoors unless absolutely necessary, particularly warning them against visiting beach areas.
"From the district administration side also, the control room is functioning, and we have given sufficient messages and publicity to the public. We request them not to go outdoors unless exceptionally required and definitely not to visit beach areas," he added.
Meanwhile, the South Central Railway's Vijayawada Division has cancelled 53 local trains and 11 long-distance trains as a precautionary measure.
Additional Divisional Railway Manager PE Edwin said railway personnel had intensified patrols and deployed stationary watchmen with safety equipment and communication arrangements to ensure that real-time information could reach officials and assistance could be provided promptly.
"We have provided passenger assistance booths as well, and the contact numbers have been given. Passengers are requested to undertake these journeys only if it is very urgent, because we do not know—this is a coastal area, and at any time anything may happen without warning," Edwin said.
In Odisha's Ganjam district, Gopalpur Port has provided shelter inside the harbour to around 34 fishing boats from Andhra Pradesh as a precaution against the cyclone.
Aryapalli Marine Police Station Inspector-in-Charge Bidyabharati Nayak said police and the Fisheries Department had issued warnings in villages through loudspeakers before the cyclone's arrival. She said fishing activity had been prohibited from October 26 to October 29, and patrols were being conducted to ensure compliance.
"There is a complete ban on venturing into the sea from the 26th to the 29th. We are also conducting patrols. Local fishermen are not heading out to sea; they are staying put," Nayak said.
She added that all 34 boats currently sheltered at the port were from Andhra Pradesh and had been provided shelter by port staff following the Collector's directive.
In Cuttack, rain and strong winds have added to concerns among residents as the cyclone approaches. Kaju Bazar Puja Committee Secretary Habu Das said winds were blowing at around 40 miles per hour and shops had remained closed because of the weather.
"The government is alert and prepared to handle whatever may unfold. Given the rain, shops remain closed, but there is an underlying sense of fear—a fear of the rain and the approaching cyclone. The government is fully alert and prepared to deal with the situation," Das said. (ANI)
(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)