Odisha Deputy CM Pravati Parida reviews cyclone ‘Arnab’, reports to CM
Operations Focus on “Zero Casualty” Target
Dr.Badal Tah, Odisha Barta
Rayagada, October 29: In view of the impending severe cyclonic storm “Arnab”, Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida undertook a comprehensive three-day visit to Rayagada district from October 27 to 29, 2026. Reviewing administrative and emergency readiness, the Deputy Chief Minister reiterated the state government’s core focus on the principles of “Zero Casualty” and “Atithi Devo Bhava”.
11 Tahasils were on active alert; 11 Fire Services units, 3 ODRAF teams, 1 NDRF team were deployed. 148 flood-prone areas, 17 landslide-prone locations were identified and strictly monitored. 131 designated relief shelters were equipped with backup power.
Upon arriving on October 27, Parida held high-level discussions with Collector Asutosh Kulkarni, SP and senior administrative officials. This was followed by an all-block review via video conferencing to assess ground readiness across all local jurisdictions. Round-the-clock control room services were immediately activated to monitor incoming weather updates and coordinate quick-response logistics. She directed authorities to prioritize the safety of high-risk demographics, including pregnant women, nursing mothers, infants, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities.
Frontline health and social welfare officials were instructed to relocate expectant mothers nearing delivery to Community Health Centres (CHCs), PHCs, or Maa Gruhas well ahead of adverse weather conditions. Adequate buffer stocks of essential supplies like dry food, baby food, and clean drinking water, essential medicines and anti-venom injections were strictly mandated across all 131 identified shelter locations. Uninterrupted electricity backups and generators were ensured.
On October 28, Parida conducted on-site inspections across key operational centers namely Temporary Cyclone Shelter (Jayapanga Primary School, Padmapur Block) and interacted with evacuees from Mutukuni village and distributed dry rations. She personally inspected and tasted prepared food to verify hygiene standards, while instructing field functionaries to ensure child welfare and address post-disaster livelihood concerns. For Bada-Nala Water Reservoir (Kenduguda), she assessed current storage levels and advised calibrated water release with mandatory advance public announcements via loudspeakers. She also highlighted the significant potential for developing eco-tourism and adventure tourism around the reservoir post-disaster.
Concluding her tour on October 29 after a second review at the District Emergency Control Room and a press briefing, Smt. Parida emphasized prompt grievance redressal, strict rumor control, safe storage of harvested paddy, and immediate post-cyclone restoration of power, roads, and drinking water connectivity. She commended the active disaster management machinery and called upon field teams to maintain compassionate, timely, and responsive operations throughout the cyclone emergency.
