Cyclone Arnab floods Odisha: 43,000 affected in Ganjam, thousands stranded
Synopsis
Cyclone Arnab has smashed rainfall records in South Odisha — Ganjam received 118 per cent excess rainfall in under three days, leaving 43,000 people affected and thousands still marooned. With the Indian Navy air-dropping supplies at 21 locations and a central assessment team on its way, the scale of the crisis is still being mapped.
Key Takeaways
Severe Cyclonic Storm Arnab has triggered catastrophic flooding in Ganjam , Gajapati , and Kandhamal districts of Odisha as of 30 October 2026 .
43,000 people have been affected in Ganjam alone; 23,323 have been evacuated to 352 relief centres .
Ganjam recorded 118 per cent excess rainfall , Gajapati 103 per cent , and Kandhamal 123 per cent over the preceding two to three days.
The Indian Navy deployed four helicopters to air-drop relief at 21 locations ; the Indian Coast Guard winched six people to safety from a flooded PHC.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi conducted an aerial survey; a central government assessment team is expected to visit soon.
No fresh rainfall was recorded in the 24 hours preceding Friday, with the situation expected to improve gradually.
Severe Cyclonic Storm Arnab has triggered catastrophic flooding across South Odisha, with Ganjam and Gajapati districts bearing the brunt of the disaster as of 30 October 2026. An estimated 43,000 people have been affected in Ganjam alone, roads and bridges have been washed away, and rescue operations involving the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, and state disaster teams are ongoing across the worst-hit zones.
Scale of the Damage
Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari told reporters on Friday that rainfall data from the preceding two to three days showed Ganjam district recorded 118 per cent excess rainfall, Gajapati logged 103 per cent excess, and Kandhamal saw 123 per cent excess rainfall. 'Ganjam district broke all previous rainfall records this time, receiving an unprecedented amount of rainfall within such a short period. This resulted in extensive damage across the district,' Minister Pujari said.
In total, 386 villages across 22 blocks and 18 Urban Local Bodies have been affected in Ganjam. Of the 43,000 people affected, 23,323 have been evacuated and are currently housed in relief centres. Minister Pujari also noted that the number of people still marooned in flood-affected areas exceeds those already accommodated in relief centres.
Rescue and Relief Operations
The Indian Coast Guard, deploying an ALH Mk-III helicopter, winched six individuals to safety on Thursday — including two women, two children, and one elderly person — who were stranded at a heavily inundated Public Health Centre in Jagmohan, Ganjam district. The Indian Navy deployed four helicopters on Friday to air-drop food packets and relief materials at 21 locations across flood-hit Ganjam.
Fire Services personnel have rescued 303 people stranded in Berhampur, 359 in Chhatrapur in Ganjam district, 31 in Gajapati district, and 91 in Kandhamal district. The Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams have also been deployed for food delivery to cut-off communities. Strong water currents that had earlier blocked rescue access have now subsided, allowing teams to reach all flood-hit villages including those still marooned.
Relief Infrastructure on the Ground
A total of 352 relief centres are currently operational in Ganjam district, sheltering 23,300 people. In Gajapati, 340 relief centres are housing 21,782 people. The Fire Services and ODRAF teams are also engaged in food supply delivery alongside evacuation missions.
Government Response and What Comes Next
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi conducted an aerial survey of flood-affected areas in Ganjam and neighbouring districts to assess ground conditions. Minister Pujari expressed cautious optimism, noting that no fresh rainfall had been recorded in the preceding 24 hours, and said the situation was expected to improve. A central government team is also likely to visit the affected areas soon to evaluate the full extent of cyclone-related damage across Odisha. This comes amid a broader pattern of intensifying cyclonic activity over the Bay of Bengal, which has repeatedly tested South Odisha's disaster preparedness infrastructure in recent years.
Point of View
But the recurring severity of flood displacement in the same districts raises a harder question: whether the state's investment has skewed toward evacuation response rather than the drainage, bridge, and road resilience that would reduce the need for emergency rescues in the first place. The impending central team visit is an opportunity for honest damage accounting — not just relief optics.
NationPress
30 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How severe is the Cyclone Arnab flooding in Odisha?
The flooding is severe, with Ganjam district recording 118 per cent excess rainfall in under three days — breaking all previous records, according to Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari. As of 30 October, 43,000 people have been affected in Ganjam alone, with roads and bridges washed away and thousands still marooned.
How many people have been rescued or evacuated so far?
A total of 23,323 people have been evacuated and are housed in 352 relief centres in Ganjam. Fire Services personnel have also rescued 303 people in Berhampur, 359 in Chhatrapur, 31 in Gajapati, and 91 in Kandhamal. The Indian Coast Guard winched six individuals to safety from a flooded health centre in Jagmohan.
What is the government doing to help flood victims in Odisha?
The Indian Navy has deployed four helicopters to air-drop food and relief materials at 21 locations in Ganjam. The Indian Coast Guard, ODRAF, and Fire Services teams are conducting evacuations and food deliveries. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi carried out an aerial survey, and a central government assessment team is expected to visit the affected areas shortly.
Which districts in Odisha are worst affected by Cyclone Arnab?
Ganjam, Gajapati, and Kandhamal are the worst-affected districts. Ganjam saw 118 per cent excess rainfall, Gajapati 103 per cent, and Kandhamal 123 per cent over two to three days. In Ganjam, 386 villages across 22 blocks and 18 Urban Local Bodies have been impacted.
Is the flood situation in Odisha expected to improve?
Yes, cautiously. Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari said on Friday that no rainfall had been recorded in the preceding 24 hours and the situation was expected to improve. Water currents that had earlier blocked rescue teams have also subsided, allowing access to all flood-hit villages.
