Malkangiri: Malkangiri is among the southern Odisha districts expected to bear the brunt of the impending severe cyclonic storm, ‘Arnab’, which is set to make landfall between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by the forenoon of October 28. Odisha government has stepped up disaster preparedness, identifying 48,010 people for possible evacuation and keeping 466 shelters ready across eight districts.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of heavy-to-very-heavy rainfall in Malkangiri and several other districts. Malkangiri, along with Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada and Koraput, is among the districts facing heightened concern over the forecast conditions. The state government is following a “zero casualty” strategy, mobilising disaster response teams and directing district administrations to ensure that vulnerable residents can be moved to safer locations if necessary. Malkangiri has been placed under special surveillance along with Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Nuapada and Kalahandi. According to the latest available IMD warnings reported October 27, Malkangiri is among the districts expected to experience heavy-to-very-heavy rainfall.
Authorities are keeping a close watch on vulnerable locations and are preparing to respond to possible flooding, road disruption and other weather-related emergencies. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari chaired a high-level review meeting with the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) and senior officials at the State Emergency Operations Centre at Rajiv Bhavan in Bhubaneswar Tuesday. He reviewed the arrangements for evacuation, shelter management, emergency response and the availability of essential supplies. Pujari informed officials that financial assistance of Rs 19 crore has been provided to the eight districts likely to be affected by the weather system. As part of its preparedness measures, the state government has identified 48,010 people living in vulnerable areas across the eight districts for possible evacuation.
A total of 466 shelters have been kept ready to accommodate them. The system is forecast to make landfall as a very severe cyclonic storm, with maximum sustained wind speeds of 115–125 kmph and gusts reaching 140 kmph.
