Several villages marooned as rains batter Odisha in cyclone Arnab aftermath; 9 trains cancelled

Severe flooding from cyclone Arnab has left several villages in Odisha's Ganjam and Gajapati districts stranded, with over 2,000 people affected. The Odisha government plans to airlift stranded residents to safety, with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs providing a Coast Guard helicopter for evacuation. Around 120 people from four locations in Dharakote are expected to be airlifted.

Floodwaters have submerged railway tracks and bridges between Ichchapuram and Jhadupudi stations in Srikakulam district in Andhra Pradesh, causing train services between Andhra Pradesh and Odisha to be completely disrupted. Thirty trains have been cancelled on the Chennai-Howrah route, with two more trains cancelled due to the cyclone situation.

The Odisha government is working with railway authorities to ensure the safety of passengers and provide essential needs at stations.