Bhubaneswar: As Cyclone Arnab threatens destructive winds and torrential rain across parts of eastern India, authorities are rolling out school closures and large-scale emergency preparations to protect residents in vulnerable areas.

Odisha has announced the closure of educational institutions in five southern districts on October 28 and 29, while rainfall has prompted school holidays in parts of Tamil Nadu on Monday, October 26.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast the cyclone to make landfall between southern Odisha and northern Andhra Pradesh on October 28, with the Andhra Pradesh coast considered more likely to bear the brunt. Heavy to very heavy rainfall and strong winds are expected in parts of southern Odisha, placing several districts on alert. 

In Tamil Nadu, Ramanathapuram district will observe a school holiday on Monday after rainfall, District Collector Sivaguru Prabhakar announced.

In the Nilgiris, schools in Udhagamandalam, Coonoor, Kotagiri and Kundah taluks will remain closed, according to District Collector Lakshmi Bhavya Tanneeru.

The Theni District Collector, Sivakrishnamurthy, has issued a similar order for schools in Periyakulam block.

Odisha shuts schools, activates emergency response

In Odisha, the state government has identified Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri as the districts most vulnerable to the approaching cyclone. Other coastal districts may also experience rainfall as the weather system advances. 

Schools, colleges and anganwadi centres in all five vulnerable districts will remain closed on October 28 and 29 as part of precautionary measures. The government has also cancelled leave for district-level officers and employees in these districts, directing them to remain at their respective headquarters to ensure an uninterrupted emergency response.

Control rooms have been activated around the clock, including District Emergency Operation Centres and facilities at the block, tehsil and urban local body levels.

Dedicated helplines and toll-free numbers are also operational to assist residents.

Authorities are identifying people living in kutcha houses, thatched structures and low-lying areas for relocation to cyclone shelters and other safe locations.

Expectant mothers nearing their delivery dates are being shifted in advance to nearby hospitals, community health centres and primary health centres. Special arrangements are also being made for senior citizens, children and persons with disabilities.

24 ODRAF teams, six NDRF teams deployed

To strengthen rescue and relief operations, the Odisha government has deployed 24 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams and six National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams across the five districts.

Ganjam has been allotted 11 teams, including two NDRF units, while Gajapati has received seven teams.

Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri have been assigned four teams each. The state has readied cyclone shelters with essential facilities under its zero-casualty strategy.

Fishing activities at sea have been prohibited, and tourists have been barred from visiting hills, waterfalls, dams, and other tourist destinations across the five districts as a safety measure.

Farmers, hospitals put on alert

The agriculture department has advised farmers to harvest and safely store paddy, maize, ragi and other crops that have reached 80-85% maturity. Special agricultural helplines have been established to provide assistance.

Meanwhile, the health department has stocked essential medicines, chlorine tablets and snake anti-venom.

Arrangements have also been made to chlorinate drinking water and restore electricity and telecommunications services rapidly if they are disrupted.

Livestock are being moved to safer locations, with mobile veterinary units tasked with providing treatment and ensuring fodder supplies in affected areas.

The state government has urged residents to avoid rumours, follow official advisories and cooperate with local authorities as preparations intensify ahead of the expected landfall.