Cyclone Arnab: 10,200 People Evacuated in Gajapati, Nearly 200 Shelters Ready

Gajapati: The Gajapati district administration has evacuated 10,200 people from 147 cyclone-vulnerable areas and stepped up emergency arrangements to deal with the possible impact of severe cyclonic storm Arnab.

Higher Education, Sports and Youth Services, and Odia Language, Literature and Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj reviewed the district’s preparedness at a meeting held at the Collector’s office on Tuesday. Collector Akshay Sunil Agrawal and other senior officials attended the meeting, while block- and sub-divisional-level officers joined virtually.

During the review, the Minister assessed evacuation measures, cyclone shelter arrangements and emergency response plans, reiterating the state government’s ‘Zero Casualty’ target. He directed officials to remain alert and ensure the safety of people in vulnerable areas, with particular attention to children and pregnant women.

Nearly 200 cyclone shelters are available across the district. The administration has arranged dry food, cooked meals, safe drinking water, emergency medical kits, electricity and other essential facilities to accommodate evacuated residents. Pregnant women have been shifted to ‘Maa Ghar’ for their safety.

All schools, colleges and Anganwadi centres in the district will remain closed from October 27 to 29 as a precautionary measure.

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have been issued to the officials concerned, and senior district officers have been deployed in cyclone-prone areas to monitor preparedness and coordinate emergency response efforts.

The Minister said the administration had made arrangements for evacuating vulnerable residents and ensuring their safe stay in shelters. He also stressed the need to provide special care to children and pregnant women during the emergency.

“Zero casualty is our target. People’s safety along with dealing with the cyclone is our priority,” Suraj said.

He also visited cyclone shelters in the district to inspect the facilities and review arrangements for people evacuated from vulnerable areas.