World · India Bureau
Odisha to airlift 120 stranded as Cyclone Arnab batters coastal districts
Authorities in Odisha have launched an emergency airlift operation to rescue over 120 people stranded in Ganjam district following severe flooding from Cyclone Arnab. Heavy rainfall across multiple districts has triggered unprecedented waterlogging and blocked access routes.
LSN India ·
The Odisha government has initiated aerial evacuation efforts in Ganjam district as the aftermath of Cyclone Arnab continues to wreak havoc across the state's coastal and interior regions. Rescue teams have identified approximately 120 individuals requiring immediate assistance, with helicopters being deployed to reach isolated pockets cut off by surging floodwaters.
The cyclone has unleashed torrential rainfall across Odisha, with several locations receiving more than double their average precipitation. Sanakhemundi in Ganjam recorded 388mm of rainfall, making it the hardest-hit location, while Raikia in Kandhamal district measured 384.8mm. The southwestern region of Ganjam district continued to experience intense downpours, with Chikiti reporting 309.2mm of rainfall.
The extreme weather has rendered road networks impassable and severed communication links in several villages, hampering conventional rescue operations. Authorities have prioritized airlift operations to evacuate stranded residents and deliver emergency supplies to marooned communities. District administration officials have activated emergency response protocols and coordinated with the Indian Air Force to ensure swift rescue missions.
Odisha's disaster management authorities are monitoring water levels in major rivers and reservoirs as the state braces for potential flash floods in low-lying areas. Relief camps have been established in safer zones to accommodate evacuated residents, and provisions for food and medical aid are being arranged.