Cyclone Murasu: Odisha evacuates 1.6 lakh people, 2,441 shelters readied
Synopsis
Odisha is racing against time — with 1,60,021 people already evacuated and a target of over 3.3 lakh still incomplete, the state is managing Cyclone Murasu while simultaneously running relief ops from Cyclone Arnab. IMD's yellow warnings for five districts and a coast-wide squally weather alert through 4 November mean the next 48 hours are critical.
Key Takeaways
1,60,021 people have been evacuated from Gajapati, Ganjam, Malkangiri, Koraput and Kandhamal districts as of 2 November 2026 .
The total evacuation target stands at 3,33,752 people ; Ganjam alone accounts for 1,51,434 evacuees.
2,441 shelters have been prepared across affected districts; 552 are currently operational.
1,068 pregnant women have been identified and shifted to hospitals or relief shelters as a special precaution.
The IMD has issued a yellow warning for isolated heavy rainfall in five districts on 2–3 November , and squally weather along the coast through 4 November .
Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea until 4 November ; schools, colleges and Anganwadi centres in vulnerable districts have been closed.
The Odisha government on Monday, 2 November 2026 confirmed that 1,60,021 people have been evacuated to safer locations across five southern districts — Gajapati, Ganjam, Malkangiri, Koraput and Kandhamal — as Cyclone Murasu bears down on the state's coast with the threat of heavy rainfall. The administration has set a total evacuation target of 3,33,752 people from vulnerable areas, with relief operations continuing at pace.
Scale of Evacuation and Shelter Arrangements
Ganjam district accounts for the lion's share of those displaced, with 1,51,434 people shifted to safety — the highest among all affected districts. Authorities have prepared 2,441 shelters across the region, of which 552 are currently operational. As a special precaution, the administration identified 1,068 pregnant women across these districts and moved them to hospitals or dedicated relief shelters.
District Emergency Operation Centres (DEOCs) are fully functional in all affected districts, with senior officers deployed on the ground to monitor the situation in real time. Schools, colleges and Anganwadi centres in vulnerable districts have been ordered shut, and the public has been urged to remain in safe locations and follow government advisories.
Minister Reviews Preparedness
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari chaired a review meeting at the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) office in Rajiv Bhawan, Bhubaneswar, covering both the preparations for Cyclone Murasu and ongoing relief work in areas still recovering from the flooding caused by Severe Cyclonic Storm Arnab. Pujari said the state government is 'fully prepared' to handle the incoming system and called on residents to stay alert without panicking.
Notably, Odisha is responding to Murasu even as restoration efforts from the previous storm, Arnab, remain underway in several coastal districts — a compounding challenge for the state's disaster management machinery.
IMD Warnings and Rainfall Forecast
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), isolated heavy rainfall is very likely in Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri on 2 and 3 November, for which a yellow warning has been issued. A separate yellow warning remains in place for Koraput and Malkangiri on 4 November. The IMD has also warned of squally weather along the Odisha coast through 4 November.
IMD Bhubaneswar Director Manorama Mohanty said rainfall activity across the state is expected to decrease significantly after 4 November. Fishermen have been advised against venturing into the sea until that date. Light to moderate rainfall is currently continuing across southern Odisha.
What Happens Next
With evacuation at roughly 48% of the stated target of 3,33,752, authorities face a tight window to move the remaining vulnerable population before the system intensifies. All eyes are on the IMD's next updates as the government works to complete shelter mobilisation and ensure that the lessons of Cyclone Arnab's flooding are not repeated.
Point of View
Stretching both manpower and shelter capacity simultaneously. With evacuation at barely 48% of the stated target, the administration's real test is the next 24–36 hours. The state has historically been cited as a model for cyclone preparedness, but that reputation rests on completing evacuations before landfall — not after. The identification and relocation of 1,068 pregnant women is a notable operational detail that reflects institutional learning from past cycles.
NationPress
3 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people have been evacuated due to Cyclone Murasu in Odisha?
As of 2 November 2026, a total of 1,60,021 people have been evacuated to safer locations across five districts — Gajapati, Ganjam, Malkangiri, Koraput and Kandhamal. The administration has set a broader target of evacuating 3,33,752 people from vulnerable areas.
Which districts in Odisha are most affected by Cyclone Murasu?
Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri are the districts facing the highest risk, with the IMD issuing a yellow warning for isolated heavy rainfall in these areas on 2 and 3 November. Ganjam has the highest number of evacuees at 1,51,434.
What is the IMD forecast for Cyclone Murasu's impact on Odisha?
The India Meteorological Department has issued yellow warnings for isolated heavy rainfall in Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri on 2–3 November, and for Koraput and Malkangiri on 4 November. Squally weather is forecast along the Odisha coast through 4 November, after which rainfall activity is expected to decrease significantly.
How many shelters has Odisha set up for Cyclone Murasu?
The state has prepared 2,441 shelters across the affected districts, of which 552 are currently operational. Special arrangements have also been made for 1,068 pregnant women, who have been moved to hospitals or dedicated relief shelters.
Is Cyclone Murasu coming after another cyclone hit Odisha?
Yes. Odisha is responding to Cyclone Murasu even as relief and restoration work continues in areas affected by Severe Cyclonic Storm Arnab, which caused significant flooding in coastal districts. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari reviewed both the Murasu preparations and the ongoing Arnab recovery work at the same meeting.
