Amit Shah assures Odisha full Centre support as Cyclone Arnab wreaks havoc
Synopsis
Cyclone Arnab has battered southern Odisha with flooding and landslides, cutting off entire communities in Ganjam and Gajapati. Home Minister Amit Shah personally assured CM Mohan Charan Majhi of full Central support — with NDRF, ODRAF and Fire Services already on the ground, the focus now shifts to how fast roads are restored and agricultural losses are counted.
Key Takeaways
Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi on 29 October 2026 , assuring all Central assistance for cyclone relief.
Severe cyclonic storm 'Arnab' made landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast on 28 October , triggering floods and landslides in southern Odisha .
Districts of Ganjam and Gajapati are among the worst hit, with roads, bridges and paddy fields severely damaged.
Teams from ODRAF , Odisha Fire Services , and the NDRF are conducting active rescue and relief operations.
CM Majhi shared details of the conversation on X , confirming the Centre's commitment to relief, rehabilitation and restoration.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday, 29 October 2026, assuring the state of all possible Central assistance in the wake of severe cyclonic storm 'Arnab', which made landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast on 28 October and triggered widespread devastation across southern Odisha. The telephonic conversation came as cyclone-induced flooding and landslides left thousands affected, cutting off entire communities in the region.
What CM Majhi Told the Home Minister
Chief Minister Majhi briefed Home Minister Shah on the full scale of the damage — extensive flooding, landslides, damaged houses, collapsed roads and inundated paddy fields — particularly in the southern districts of Ganjam and Gajapati. He also outlined the relief and restoration measures already being undertaken by the Odisha state government.
Sharing details of the conversation on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, CM Majhi wrote: 'Spoke with Hon'ble Union Home Minister Shri @AmitShah Ji and briefed him on the impact of #CycloneArnab across Odisha, the prevailing situation in affected districts, and the relief and restoration measures being undertaken by the State Government.'
Scale of Destruction Across South Odisha
Cyclone Arnab's most severe impact was felt across southern Odisha, where incessant rainfall triggered simultaneous flooding and landslides. Roads and bridges were washed away, stranding residents in Ganjam and Gajapati districts. Thousands of people have been affected, with houses damaged and vast stretches of paddy fields — critical to the region's agricultural economy — inundated or destroyed.
Notably, several localities remain cut off from emergency services as connectivity infrastructure continues to be assessed. This is among the most significant cyclone impacts on Odisha in recent years, given the simultaneous occurrence of flooding and landslides across multiple southern districts.
Rescue and Relief Operations Underway
Multiple agencies are currently engaged in ground-level rescue and relief operations. Teams from the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), Odisha Fire Services, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed across the affected areas. The state government is coordinating efforts to restore connectivity and provide immediate relief to stranded and displaced families.
Centre's Assurance and What Comes Next
Home Minister Shah assured Chief Minister Majhi of the Central government's full backing. Acknowledging the assurance, Majhi stated: 'He assured all possible assistance to Odisha in the wake of the cyclone. The support and cooperation of the Government of India will further strengthen our efforts to protect lives, support affected families and expedite relief, rehabilitation and restoration across the State.'
CM Majhi also expressed gratitude to the Home Minister, adding: 'Grateful to Hon'ble Union Home Minister Shri @AmitShahJi for assuring all possible assistance to Odisha in the wake of Cyclone Arnab. The support and cooperation of the Government of India will strengthen our efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of every Odia.'
With Central resources now committed, attention will turn to the speed of disbursements, restoration of road and bridge connectivity, and agricultural damage assessment — all of which will determine the pace of recovery for the worst-hit communities in Ganjam and Gajapati.
Point of View
But the speed of Central follow-through will be the real measure. Odisha has historically been among India's best-prepared states for cyclones — ODRAF is a model for other states — yet the simultaneous onset of flooding and landslides across multiple southern districts tests even that preparedness. The bigger question is agricultural: with paddy fields inundated during harvest season, the damage assessment will determine whether farmers in Ganjam and Gajapati receive timely crop-loss compensation. Past disaster cycles have seen relief commitments lag disbursement by weeks. The Centre's assurance needs a verified timeline to be meaningful.
NationPress
29 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cyclone Arnab and where did it hit?
Cyclone Arnab is a severe cyclonic storm that made landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast on 28 October 2026. It subsequently triggered heavy rainfall, flooding and landslides across southern Odisha, particularly in Ganjam and Gajapati districts.
Why did Amit Shah call Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi?
Home Minister Amit Shah called CM Majhi on 29 October 2026 to assess the cyclone's impact on Odisha and assure the state of all possible Central government assistance in rescue, relief and restoration efforts.
Which areas of Odisha are worst affected by Cyclone Arnab?
The southern parts of Odisha, especially Ganjam and Gajapati districts, have been most severely impacted. Roads, bridges and paddy fields have been damaged, and several localities remain cut off.
Which agencies are conducting rescue operations in Odisha?
Teams from the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), Odisha Fire Services, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are actively engaged in rescue and relief operations in the cyclone-affected areas.
What did CM Majhi say about Central support for Cyclone Arnab relief?
CM Majhi said the Centre's support and cooperation would strengthen the state's efforts to protect lives and expedite relief, rehabilitation and restoration. He also publicly thanked Home Minister Shah on X, calling the assurance a reinforcement of the state's emergency response.
