Cyclone Arnab slammed Odisha's eastern coast on Thursday, and the next day a sudden slide tore through Dangesi village in Kandhamal district. Three people lost their lives, among them 30‑year‑old Achyuta Pradhan, his 25‑year‑old wife Anisha, and a 9‑month‑old infant whose name remains undisclosed. The state’s Panchayati Raj Minister, Rabi Narayan Naik, confirmed that a fire‑services crew rescued two others and that disaster response teams are clearing the wreckage.
Around 450 residents were evacuated from the block and set up in a relief camp, the district Collector, Vedbhusan, said. Two more people, including an elderly victim, were moved to a safer location. The evacuation follows a pattern of mass displacement the last week as the cyclone’s heavy rains destabilised the hills.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed deep sorrow on X and pledged an ex‑gratia of ₹4 lakh each from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to the next of kin. He added that the funds would be released within the next 48 hours, a move that should ease the immediate financial strain on grieving families.
Cyclone Arnab has already scorched Ganjam, the worst‑affected district, with Gajapati and Kandhamal also reporting significant damage. The Odisha disaster response unit has been busy since Thursday, coordinating with state police, the Indian Coast Guard, and the National Disaster Management Authority.
A mother of the deceased, Anisha Pradhan, now faces the stark reality of losing her young life while her husband, Achyuta, had already taken the brunt of the disaster. The family’s story underscores the personal toll of what the government calls a “humanitarian crisis.”
As the state prepares to disburse the ex‑gratia, relief teams will focus on restoring basic services and ensuring that the 450 evacuated families receive sufficient shelter and food supplies. The next parliamentary session will include a brief on the cyclone’s impact and a review of the state’s disaster preparedness strategy.