Post-Arnab cyclone, heavy rain wreaks havoc in Odisha’s Ganjam, Gajapati districts

A drone view of the inundated area of Berhampur in the wake of the Cyclone Arnab, in Ganjam, Odisha, on October 29, 2026. | Photo Credit: PTI

Heavy rain triggered by cyclone Arnab wreaked havoc in Odisha’s Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal districts on Thursday (October 29, 2026), washing away roads, marooning villages and triggering landslides, as State officials struggled to restore normalcy.

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The rainfall recorded in the three districts was among the highest ever recorded. “Exceptionally heavy rainfall occurred over south Odisha during the past 24 hours, ending at 8.30 a.m. on Thursday. The highest rainfall of 546 mm was recorded at Patrapur [Ganjam], followed by 503 mm at Sorada [Ganjam], 462 mm at G. Udayagiri [Kandhamal], 458 mm at Mahendragarh [Gajapati], 388 mm at Sanakhemundi [Ganjam] and 309 mm at Chikiti (Ganjam),” the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

A stretch of the National Highway 326 connecting Berhampur with Mohana was washed away by swirling floodwaters, disrupting road connectivity. Road infrastructure also suffered extensive damage in Gajapati district. The hilly terrain compounded the situation, as torrents of rainwater rushed downhill into low-lying areas, triggering landslides and damaging infrastructure. At several places, floodwaters flowed over major roads, halting vehicular movement in the two districts.