Nuapada: In view of the approaching very severe cyclonic storm ‘Arnab’ and the possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, the Nuapada district administration has cancelled the leave of all teaching and non-teaching staff of SSD ((Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes Development School) Department schools from October 27 to 30.

According to an office order issued by the Office of the Collector and District Magistrate, Nuapada, all staff members currently on leave have been directed to report back to their respective headquarters immediately.

The order further instructs all teaching and non-teaching personnel not to leave their respective headquarters without prior permission from the Collector.

The precautionary measures have been taken in view of the potential impact of Cyclone Arnab, which is moving towards the Andhra Pradesh coast and is likely to affect several districts of Odisha.

Eight Odisha districts on alert

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the very severe cyclonic storm was centred over the west-central Bay of Bengal at 8.30 am on October 27. The system was located around 370 km south of Gopalpur in Odisha and 220 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.

The IMD has forecast that the cyclone will move northwestwards and cross the Andhra Pradesh–Yanam coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam, by the forenoon of October 28. Maximum sustained wind speeds of 125–135 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 150 kmph, are likely during landfall.

In Odisha, eight districts — Nabarangpur, Gajapati, Malkangiri, Ganjam, Koraput, Kalahandi, Nuapada and Rayagada — are likely to be affected by the storm.

The state government is closely monitoring the situation, with evacuation, rescue preparedness and relief arrangements underway in the vulnerable districts.

Around 48,000 people planned for evacuation

The Odisha Government has planned to relocate around 48,000 people from the eight districts to safer locations ahead of the cyclone.

Nabarangpur and Gajapati are each expected to evacuate around 11,000 people, while Malkangiri has identified approximately 9,850 people for relocation and is expected to face a significant impact.

The planned evacuation figures for the other districts include around 6,500 people in Ganjam, 5,000 in Koraput, 2,415 in Kalahandi, 1,675 in Nuapada and 300 in Rayagada.

The cancellation of leave for SSD school staff in Nuapada is part of the district administration’s precautionary measures to ensure personnel remain available at their headquarters during the period of heightened weather-related risk.