Post-Arnab cyclone, heavy rain wreaks havoc in Odisha’s Ganjam, Gajapati districts

After Cyclone Arnab moved inland, the region experienced relentless downpours that turned roads into streams and flooded low‑lying fields in Ganjam and Gajapati districts. Officials report that over 200 villages in 22 administrative blocks have been severely affected, with many families stranded as bridges collapsed and primary routes were rendered impassable. The three major rivers that flow through the area , the Rushikulya, the Baitarani and the Mahanadi tributaries , are currently in spate, raising water levels beyond historic norms.

The disruption has hampered the delivery of essential supplies, as relief teams struggle to reach isolated communities. Local authorities have deployed boats and temporary footbridges to evacuate residents and to bring in food, medicine and clean water. Schools have been closed, and agricultural fields have suffered waterlogging, threatening the upcoming planting season. Emergency shelters have been set up in higher ground, but power outages and damaged communication networks make coordination challenging for responders.

State government officials have announced a package of relief measures that includes financial assistance for affected families, reconstruction of damaged infrastructure and a rapid assessment of long‑term flood mitigation needs. Experts stress that the event highlights the growing vulnerability of coastal and riverine districts to extreme weather, a concern that resonates across India as climate patterns shift. For readers, the situation underscores the importance of disaster preparedness and the need for resilient public services in vulnerable regions.