Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, who also holds the Energy portfolio, on Monday, 26 October 2026, chaired a high-level review of the Energy Department's disaster preparedness in anticipation of Cyclone Arnab, which is expected to make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast on 28 October. The meeting focused on ensuring grid resilience, minimal supply disruption, and zero casualties across Southern and Coastal Odisha during the critical window of 26–29 October.

Ground Command and Field Deployment

Deputy CM Singh Deo will be stationed in Koraput during the cyclone's passage to provide real-time oversight and lead emergency operations across the southern region. The decision underscores the state government's intent to ensure direct political accountability during a high-risk weather event.

The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary (Energy) Vishal Kumar Dev, along with senior officers from OPTCL, Tata Power, and the Energy Department.

Multi-Tier Command Network Activated

According to an official statement from the Energy Department, OPTCL has established a multi-tier strategic command network to manage power system restoration. At its core is a dedicated 24x7 central control room at STAMC Chandaka, supported by zonal oversight at Narendrapur and 11 strategic field control centres covering vulnerable locations including Narendrapur, Chatrapur, Bhanjanagar, Jayanagar, Malkangiri, Theruvali, Kesinga, Samangara, Paradeep, Bhadrak, and Baleshwar.

All command units are fully operational with dedicated vigilance rosters, functional communication links, backup diesel generators, and DC power systems, the department stated.

Heavy Material Pre-Positioned Across Depots

Ground teams are executing pre-impact protocols backed by extensive material stockpiling. As per the official statement, pre-positioned resources include 83 sets of 132 kV, 220 kV, and 400 kV emergency tower sets, 1,115 km of conductors, and 9,157 hardware fitting sets stored at strategic depots. The scale of pre-positioning reflects lessons drawn from previous cyclone-related outages in the state.

Hospitals and Shelters to Get Priority Restoration

'During the restoration phase, strict priority will be given to essential services and public infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and cyclone shelters, to maintain public health and safety,' the Energy Department said in its statement. Citizens will receive automated SMS alerts with accurate timelines and estimated restoration schedules throughout the emergency.

A 24x7 Central Emergency Control Centre (CECC) for TPSODL has also been activated at Ambagada in Berhampur, reachable at contact number 9124293314 and toll-free numbers 1912 / 18002026. The department reiterated its commitment as the 'Lifeline of Odisha' to restore affected transmission infrastructure at the earliest once weather conditions permit.

Context: Odisha's Cyclone Preparedness Track Record

Odisha has repeatedly been cited as a benchmark for cyclone preparedness in India, particularly after the devastation of Cyclone Fani in 2019, which caused widespread power infrastructure damage and prompted a systemic overhaul of the state's disaster-response grid. The layered command structure and advance material stockpiling now in place reflect that institutional evolution. Notably, with Cyclone Arnab making landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast rather than Odisha's own shoreline, the state is bracing for indirect but potentially significant impact across its southern and coastal districts.