Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Fire and Emergency Service has deployed adequate manpower and equipment to vulnerable districts to mitigate the impact of cyclonic storm ‘Arnab’, which is very likely to cross Andhra Pradesh coast on October 28.

The agency has identified six districts—Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Nabarangpur and Gajapati—as focus area as part of its mitigation measures, revealed Fire and Emergency Service IGP Umashankar Dash on Monday.  

According Dash, the agency has decided to deploy as many as 225 teams of Fire Service personnel along with equipment in vulnerable districts.

“We are expecting strong winds, heavy rainfall and possible landslides in some South Odisha districts. To mitigate these risks, we are deploying 225 teams of Fire personnel, along with equipment and highly sophisticated vehicles. More than 100 boats are also being deployed in various areas,” said Dash.

The top official further revealed that a state-level command centre is operating round the clock to monitor every rescue operation and situation. If required, additional manpower, equipment and vehicles will be deployed in the vulnerable areas, he said.

As per the IMD prediction, the cyclonic storm may trigger extremely heavy rainfall in at least five districts in Odisha—Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati and Ganjam—for two days starting October 28. Besides, the districts may witness gusty surface winds, with speed reaching upto 80 km per hour.

The MeT Department has issued a Red warning for these South Odisha districts.

Several other districts of the state including Baragada, Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamala, Nawarangpur, Puri, Khordha and Nayagad are very likely to witness heavy rainfall till October 30.