Cyclone Arnab: Kataka Schools Closed, 300 Shelters Set Up

Advertisement

Kataka: Authorities across coastal Odisha were placed on high alert as Cyclone Arnab edged closer to the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh coastline, triggering extensive civil protection measures throughout Kataka district.

In response to the storm’s projected path, Kataka District Collector Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde directed all educational institutions across the district to remain closed tomorrow as a safeguard for students and institutional personnel. The shutdown encompasses government and private schools, colleges, and Anganwadi centres.

To mitigate the cyclone’s anticipated impact, the district administration has mobilised 300 temporary relief shelters and initiated evacuations from low-lying, flood-prone zones. Collector Shinde instructed officials to prioritise moving pregnant women to secure facilities, confirming that adequate provisions of food and potable drinking water have already been pre-positioned to support displaced residents.

Advertisement

On-ground response operations have been reinforced with the deployment of three Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams dispatched to strategic, high-vulnerability pockets to handle immediate search, rescue, and clearance operations.

Administrative oversight will run continuously through two round-the-clock emergency control rooms established to track meteorological developments, streamline relief distribution, and address public distress calls.

Asserting that comprehensive preparations are complete to confront the storm, authorities have advised residents to remain indoors, avoid non-essential travel, and follow all safety advisories issued by disaster management agencies.

Advertisement