Bhubaneswar: No major damage has been reported in Odisha as severe cyclonic storm ‘Arnab’ completed its landfall process after nearly six hours (from 2 am to 8 am), Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Rajesh Prabhakar Patil said on Wednesday.
Briefing the media, Patil said the cyclone had moved over land and was following its predicted trajectory. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast cited by him, the storm was expected to reach Malkangiri district by Wednesday evening.
“The landfall process lasted around six hours, from 2 am to 8 am. The cyclone remained nearly stationary for a considerable period during this time. The landfall process has now been completed, and the system is moving over land along its predicted path,” Patil said.
He said very heavy rainfall was being reported in Ganjam district, while Gajapati district had also received heavy rainfall. Malkangiri and Koraput had not reported rainfall at the time of the briefing, while Rayagada and several other districts had not recorded significant precipitation.
According to rainfall data for the preceding 24 hours, Mohana block recorded 182 mm of rainfall, while Paralakhemundi received 140 mm, he said.
As part of the precautionary measures, more than 2,000 pregnant women had been shifted to safer locations, Patil said, adding that officials had been mobilised and district administrations placed on alert.
“We are continuously monitoring the situation. All precautionary measures have been taken, and officials are working in their respective districts. The situation remains under control,” he said.
Patil said a few incidents of trees being uprooted and roads being blocked had been reported. However, the obstructions were promptly cleared with the assistance of the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and fire services teams.
He further said the cyclone was expected to weaken into a depression after reaching Malkangiri, bringing rainfall to several areas.
