Odisha deploys 5 IAS officers to cyclone-hit districts ahead of Cyclone Arnab
Synopsis
With Cyclone Arnab set to slam the Andhra Pradesh-Odisha coast on 28 October with gusts up to 140 kmph, Odisha has deployed five senior IAS officers — each with prior field experience in the assigned districts — to run cyclone preparedness and post-landfall relief on the ground. It is a signature move from one of India's most battle-tested cyclone-response administrations, now chasing a zero-casualty target.
Key Takeaways
The Odisha government deployed five IAS officers on 25 October 2026 to Rayagada, Koraput, Gajapati, Malkangiri , and Nabarangpur districts ahead of Cyclone Arnab .
Cyclone Arnab is forecast to make landfall between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam on 28 October , with winds of 115–125 kmph gusting to 140 kmph .
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said officers carry full decision-making authority and have prior cyclone-management experience in their assigned districts.
The government's stated target is zero casualties , with a focus on flood risk from heavy rainfall in southern Odisha .
All senior state officers have been asked to remain at headquarters from Monday for emergency readiness.
The Odisha government on Sunday, 25 October 2026, deployed five senior IAS officers to five districts expected to bear the brunt of Cyclone Arnab, directing them to assist local administrations with preparedness and to oversee post-cyclone relief, rehabilitation, and restoration operations. The move comes as the storm is forecast to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm before making landfall along the Andhra Pradesh–Odisha coastal belt on 28 October.
Officer Deployments and Assignments
According to an order issued by the Odisha General Administration and Public Grievance Department, K. Sudarshan Chakravarthy, Managing Director of Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation Ltd, has been assigned to Rayagada district. Poma Tudu, Additional Secretary of the ST and SC Development, Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare Department, will oversee preparedness and rehabilitation in Koraput.
Bijay Kumar Dash, Additional Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department, has been posted to Gajapati; Yeddula Vijay, Director of the Sports Department, to Malkangiri; and Maheswar Swain, Additional Secretary to the Odisha Chief Minister, to Nabarangpur. All five officers were directed to proceed to their assigned districts immediately.
What the Government Said
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari told reporters on Sunday that the deployed officers have prior field experience handling flood and cyclone emergencies in these very districts. He emphasised that the officers will function as observers with full decision-making authority rather than merely as liaisons.
'Their experience will also be utilised. We are deputing them with full authority to take whatever decisions are necessary. They have been authorised and empowered to make such decisions,' Minister Pujari said. He also stated that the government is pursuing a zero-casualty target, with particular focus on managing flooding caused by heavy rainfall.
Cyclone Arnab: Track and Forecast
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Arnab is expected to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm over the West Central Bay of Bengal before crossing the coasts of Andhra Pradesh and Yanam, between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, on 28 October. The storm is forecast to bring wind speeds of 115–125 kmph, gusting up to 140 kmph.
The IMD has also warned of heavy downpours across several districts of Odisha, especially in the southern parts of the state. This comes amid memories of past cyclones — including Fani (2019) and Titli (2018) — that caused widespread devastation across southern Odisha's coastal and interior districts.
Administrative Readiness Measures
In a separate advisory issued on Sunday, the Odisha government asked all senior officers to remain available at their headquarters from Monday onwards to ensure uninterrupted administrative functioning and emergency readiness. This is part of a broader protocol that Odisha — widely regarded as one of India's most cyclone-prepared states — activates ahead of severe weather events.
Minister Pujari appealed to the public to remain calm and cooperate with local authorities. 'Human life is extremely precious, and protecting lives is the government's foremost responsibility. Alongside safeguarding lives, everyone should also cooperate with the government to minimise damage to property,' he said.
What Comes Next
With landfall projected for 28 October, district administrations in southern Odisha are expected to complete evacuation of coastal and flood-prone settlements within the next 48 hours. Relief camps, emergency response teams, and supply pre-positioning are reportedly under way across the five identified districts. All eyes remain on the IMD's track updates as Arnab closes in on the coast.
Point of View
And that is precisely where the zero-casualty goal is most vulnerable. The government's emphasis on ‘zero casualty’ is commendable but must be matched by granular tracking of evacuation numbers, not just optics of officer deployment. Southern Odisha's interior districts also face the compounded risk of flash flooding well after the cyclone passes — the relief and restoration brief may outlast the storm itself.
NationPress
25 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which five districts have IAS officers been deployed to in Odisha for Cyclone Arnab?
The five districts are Rayagada, Koraput, Gajapati, Malkangiri, and Nabarangpur. Each has been assigned a senior IAS officer with prior field experience in that district to assist the local administration with cyclone preparedness and post-landfall relief.
When is Cyclone Arnab expected to make landfall?
According to the India Meteorological Department, Cyclone Arnab is expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam on 28 October 2026. It is forecast to bring wind speeds of 115–125 kmph, gusting to 140 kmph.
What authority do the deployed IAS officers have?
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari stated that the officers have been given full decision-making authority and are empowered to take whatever actions are necessary on the ground. They will function as observers and assist district Collectors rather than replace them.
What is Odisha's target for Cyclone Arnab?
The Odisha government has set a zero-casualty target for Cyclone Arnab, with a particular focus on managing the flooding risk from heavy rainfall expected across southern districts. The government has also asked senior state officers to stay at headquarters from Monday for emergency readiness.
Which areas of Odisha are most at risk from Cyclone Arnab?
The IMD has warned that southern districts of Odisha are most vulnerable to heavy downpours from Cyclone Arnab. The five districts identified as worst-affected — Rayagada, Koraput, Gajapati, Malkangiri, and Nabarangpur — are all located in the southern interior of the state.
