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- BMC cancels all staff leave till 30 Oct and departments are on high alert.
- Heavy rain causes waterlogging in Puri; devotees at Jagannath Temple face trouble.
- Storm likely to hit Andhra Pradesh before noon on 28 Oct, said IMD.
Cyclone Arnab Update: Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation has cancelled leave for all its staff till 30 October due to the threat of Cyclone Arnab. Every department has been put on high alert. Officials have been told to make sure essential services keep running without any break while the city gets ready for heavy rain, waterlogging and possible power cuts.
According to a report by the New India Express, Mayor Sulochana Das held a review meeting on Monday to check how prepared the city is. The drainage, electricity and environment teams have been asked to keep vehicles, equipment, fuel and enough staff ready so they can move quickly if something goes wrong.
BMC's Safety Measures To Tackle Cyclone Arnab
BMC has also ordered that all hoardings and decorative arches put up at puja pandals must be taken down within 24 hours. High-mast lights will be lowered if the weather turns bad, and streetlights on the main roads have to stay working.
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#WATCH | Bhubaneswar, Odisha: With the intensification of the cyclonic storm 'Arnab', the city has begun experiencing rainfall and strong winds. https://t.co/bHRSoNVOD4
— ANI (@ANI) October 27, 2026
To stop serious waterlogging, teams will first identify the spots that usually get flooded and place pumps there in advance. Engineers from BMC and the Roads & Buildings division will check the drains, clear any blockages, and put up barricades wherever needed.
BMC and Tata Power Central Odisha Distribution Limited (TPCODL) will stay on standby for power problems. People can call the helpline 1912 to report power cuts or waterlogging.
A 24-hour control room has also been set up so that all emergency work can be coordinated and the situation watched closely as the cyclone approaches.
Heavy Rainfall Causes Waterlogging in Puri
Under the influence of Cyclone Arnab, heavy rainfall hit several parts of Odisha's Puri, causing waterlogging. The devotees visiting the Jagannath Temple also faced difficulties.
#WATCH | Puri, Odisha: Heavy rainfall under the influence of Cyclone Arnab causes waterlogging in several parts of Puri district, affecting devotees visiting the Jagannath Temple. https://t.co/Fz3Uvo89lk
— ANI (@ANI) October 27, 2026
Storm To Cross Andhra Pradesh Before Noon on Oct 28?
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the storm will intensify into a very severe cyclone and is likely to cross Andhra Pradesh before noon on October 28, with wind speeds of 115–125 kmph and gusts reaching 140 kmph.
VIDEO | Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority Managing Director Prakhar Jain on Cyclone Arnab preparedness, says 1,763 cyclone shelters have been identified ahead of the storm's expected landfall on October 28. The cyclone is expected to bring heavy rainfall and strong winds to coastal districts. (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/bIyFWTfmBd)
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 27, 2026
The state has also identified 1,763 cyclone shelters, according to Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority Managing Director Prakhar Jain. The state is put on a red alert.