Odisha fully prepared for Cyclone Arnab, 60 ODRAF teams to deploy

The Odisha government has stepped up its preparedness for Cyclone Arnab, with 60 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams scheduled to be deployed in three phases as the storm approaches the Andhra Pradesh-Odisha coast, according to agency reports.
Odisha Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Sanjay Kumar said the state administration, police and specialised disaster response teams were fully prepared to deal with the approaching cyclone.He said high-level meetings had been held with various departments, including the India Meteorological Department (IMD), to review preparedness and coordinate emergency response measures.

#WATCH | Bhubaneswar: Odisha ADG (Law & Order), Sanjay Kumar says, "A low-pressure area has formed in the Bay of Bengal, which we anticipate could intensify into a cyclone and make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh-Odisha coast around the 27th or 28th this month. Given the projected high intensity of this cyclone, high-level meetings have been held, including discussions between our officials and those from the IMD. It has been confirmed that a major cyclone is expected; however, the positive aspect is that Odisha is fully prepared. Our state and district administrations, in coordination with the police and our specialized response force, ODRAF, are completely ready. Deployment of these 20 ODRAF teams, equipped with all necessary gear, has already begun today. We are prepared to tackle the cyclone in three phases..."

— ANI (@ANI) October 26, 2026

“Given the projected high intensity of this cyclone, high-level meetings have been held, including discussions between our officials and those from the IMD. It has been confirmed that a major cyclone is expected; however, the positive aspect is that Odisha is fully prepared,” Kumar told ANI.He said 20 ODRAF teams had already been deployed, with additional trained personnel being mobilised. The state has also strengthened coordination with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to ensure effective disaster management at district and block levels.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police (Central Range), Cuttack, Satyajit Nayak, said police and disaster response teams had been deployed in vulnerable coastal districts as a precautionary measure. District Superintendents of Police have been directed to take preventive steps and coordinate closely with district administrations.The state government has cancelled leave for disaster response personnel and placed 225 rescue teams on high alert across vulnerable districts. Four ODRAF teams have been deployed in each of Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack and Khordha districts.
Round-the-clock control rooms have also been activated in all districts, with residents urged to contact authorities in case of emergencies.According to the IMD, Cyclone Arnab was expected to move west-northwestwards and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal by midnight on October 26, before strengthening further into a very severe cyclonic storm on October 27. The system was forecast to affect the Andhra Pradesh and adjoining southern Odisha coasts around October 27 or 28.