BeMC Leads Massive Rescue, Relief, Drainage Operations Amid Cyclone Arnab
Manoj Kanta Dash,Odishabarta
Editor-in-Chief
Mayor Sanghamitra, Commissioner A. Sashya Reddy Lead Multi-Agency Response; 712 PeopleShifteddto Shelters,700 Families Receive Relief Materials
Brahmapur, October 31, 2026: In a massive disaster-response operation amid the impact of Cyclone Arnab, the Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC) has undertaken extensive rescue, relief, waterlogging clearance and emergency management activities across the city to minimise public hardship caused by incessant rainfall and strong winds.
Under the direct supervision of Mayor Sanghamitra Dalei and Municipal Commissioner A. Sashya Reddy, IAS, the civic body mobilised its officials, engineering teams, sanitation personnel and other field staff, assigning area-wise responsibilities to ensure prompt action in the affected localities. Deputy Commissioners Kalyani and Ashirwad Parida, along with other senior officials and employees, remained actively engaged in coordinating and supervising the operations.
712 People Shifted to Temporary Shelters
As part of the precautionary rescue measures, a total of 712 people, including 215 men, 352 women and 135 children, were evacuated and accommodated in 12 temporary cyclone shelters across the city. Food, drinking water, healthcare facilities and other essential amenities were arranged for the inmates.
With the assistance of ODRAF and Fire Services personnel, 12 inmates of an old-age home at Anusaya Nagar, a pregnant woman from Sadananda Vihar, a woman living alone at Kalinga Vihar and an elderly couple from Rajiv Vihar were safely shifted to safer locations.
ODRAF teams also reached waterlogged localities at Sadananda Vihar and Vaishnava Nagar in Ankhuli to distribute relief materials among stranded residents.
A specially coordinated medical rescue operation was also carried out at Vijay Vihar, where a differently-abled person was rescued by the BeMC medical team and shifted to a hospital for necessary treatment.
Relief Materials Distributed to 700 Families
The BeMC distributed relief materials among approximately 700 families in severely waterlogged localities, including Jaleswar Vihar, Brahmapalli, Vaishnava Nagar, Purnabasi Colony and Nilanchal Nagar.
Mayor Sanghamitra Dalei, Deputy Mayor E. Vivek Reddy and Commissioner A. Sashya Reddy personally participated in the relief distribution along with municipal officials.
Cooked food was also provided to around 900 people at the 12 temporary cyclone shelters. Food distribution was undertaken under the supervision of the Municipal Commissioner, with the active participation of municipal officers and staff.
At Biju Patnaik Kalyan Mandap, cooked food was distributed to affected people in the presence of Commissioner A. Sashya Reddy.
In another humanitarian initiative, approximately 100 packets of cooked food were distributed among truck drivers stranded along the National Highway stretch between Haladiapadar and Golanthara due to heavy rainfall and adverse weather conditions.
Large-Scale Waterlogging Clearance Operations
Waterlogging emerged as one of the major challenges during the cyclone. To address the situation, BeMC deployed cesspool vehicles and water pumps throughout the day to remove accumulated rainwater from roads, residential colonies and public spaces.
The drainage operations covered several localities, including Gajapati Nagar, Raghupati Nagar, Shanti Nagar, Krishnanagar Municipal Colony, Kalinga Nagar, Andhapasara Road, Nehru Nagar, Gandhi Nagar, Subudhi Colony, Brahma Nagar, Jyoti Nagar, Chandi Mandir Sahi under Gosaninuagaon and Ashok Nagar.
Water was also drained from Fastgate Shramik School, Bidyutpuri Colony, Lanjipalli and other affected areas through pumping arrangements.
Jaleswar Vihar, which was severely inundated, received special attention. BeMC officials, engineers and Gosaninuagaon police personnel reached the locality and took steps to remove obstructions and encroachments affecting water discharge, thereby facilitating the restoration of drainage.
The municipal teams also carried out continuous dewatering operations in Raghupati Nagar, Shanti Nagar, Gajapati Nagar, Brahma Nagar, Braja Nagar, Chandi Mandir Sahi, Andhapasara Road, Kaling Nagar Khodasingi-Ambapua Road and Dhobabandha Huda, among other locations.
ODRAF, Fire Services and TPSODL Join Hands
Strong winds and heavy rainfall caused several trees to fall, while broken and dangerous branches posed threats to public safety and road movement.
In coordination with ODRAF, Fire Services, TP Southern Odisha Distribution Limited (TPSODL) and the BeMC electrical wing, fallen trees and dangerous branches were promptly removed from Vijay Vihar, Khodasingi, Basudev Nagar and other affected areas.
The coordinated operation helped clear blocked roads, restore vehicular movement and reduce the risk of accidents.
136 Complaints Received Through 24-Hour Control Room
The BeMC’s 24-hour control room played a crucial role in coordinating emergency response activities. On Thursday, the control room received a total of 136 complaints, of which 131 were related to rainwater accumulation and waterlogging.
Municipal teams made concerted efforts to address the complaints and undertake necessary corrective measures in the affected areas.
Although the intensity of rainfall and wind had subsided by Thursday evening, Commissioner A. Sashya Reddy directed that the municipal control room and all temporary cyclone shelters remain operational until October 31 in view of the larger public interest and the possibility of continuing emergency requirements.
Damage Assessment Ordered
Meanwhile, the Municipal Commissioner directed the Engineering Wing to undertake a comprehensive assessment of damage caused to roads, drains and other civic infrastructure within the BeMC jurisdiction due to heavy rainfall and strong winds.
The Engineering Wing has been instructed to prepare and submit a detailed damage assessment report at the earliest.
The findings will form the basis for subsequent restoration, repair and reconstruction measures.
Through coordinated field operations, area-wise deployment of officials, inter-agency cooperation and continuous monitoring, the BeMC has sought to ensure timely rescue, relief and restoration services to residents affected by Cyclone Arnab.
The active involvement of the Mayor, Municipal Commissioner, Deputy Commissioners, municipal officers and field-level employees remained central to the city’s emergency response effort..
