Central Team Conducts Ground Assessment of Cyclone Arnab Damage in Ganjam; Preliminary Loss Put at Rs 500 Crore
Eight-Member Inter-Ministerial Team Visits Flood-Hit Areas Across Four Blocks, Interacts with Victims and Assesses Damage to Agriculture and Infrastructure
“Appreciate Ganjam District Administration”
Manoj Kanta Dash | Odishabarta
Chhatrapur, November 4, 2026:An eight-member Inter-Ministerial Central Team, led by Ravi Shankar, Joint Secretary in the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, on Wednesday undertook an extensive on-the-spot assessment of the damage caused by Cyclone ‘Arnab’ and the subsequent floods in Ganjam district.
The team visited several severely affected locations across Purushottampur, Hinjilicut, Asika and Dharakote blocks to assess the extent of damage to agriculture, irrigation infrastructure, roads, power supply, residential houses, commercial establishments and healthcare facilities.
During its field visit, the Central Team inspected Achuli, Handighar and the Hiradharabati irrigation projects in Purushottampur block. In Hinjilicut block, it visited the Ghodahada bridge and Jayamangala irrigation project. The team subsequently inspected Laxmi Bazaar, Nabartnapur and the Sub-Divisional Hospital in Asika, besides visiting Jahada village and the Janibili anicut in Dharakote block.
The team gathered first-hand information about agricultural losses, particularly damage to farmland caused by sand deposition following the floods. It also examined the condition of river embankments, irrigation structures, rural roads, electricity infrastructure and other essential public assets.
As part of the assessment, the Central representatives visited affected agricultural fields, examined crop losses and collected necessary samples for further evaluation.
They also interacted with flood-affected residents to understand their grievances, difficulties and the extent of damage suffered by individual households and livelihoods.
Earlier in the day, a review meeting between the Central Team and the Ganjam district administration was held at the Circuit House in Gopalpur. Southern Revenue Divisional Commissioner Bijay Amrut Kulange and Ganjam Collector V. Keerthi Vasan briefed the team on the damage reported across various departments and the measures undertaken for restoration and rehabilitation.
Department-wise damage assessments and details of ongoing restoration activities were also presented during the meeting, enabling the visiting officials to obtain a comprehensive picture of the post-cyclone and flood situation in the district.
According to the preliminary assessment, the cumulative damage caused by Cyclone Arnab and the subsequent floods across various sectors in Ganjam district is estimated at approximately Rs 500 crore.
The detailed assessment by the Central Team is expected to play an important role in determining the extent of assistance required for restoration, rehabilitation and reconstruction.
Public representatives from the affected areas, Additional Collectors, the Chief Development Officer of the Zilla Parishad, Sub-Collectors, district-level officers, Block Development Officers and Tahasildars accompanied the team during its field visits and provided necessary support and information.
The Central Team’s extensive field inspection is expected to provide a ground-level assessment of the devastation and help the State Government pursue appropriate assistance from the Centre for the restoration of damaged infrastructure and rehabilitation of affected people.
