Cyclone Arnab has halted ferry and tourist boat services on Chilika Lake and prompted Odisha authorities to prepare evacuations from 373 coastal villages as strong winds and torrential rain threaten Kendrapada and Jagatsinghpur districts. Around 20,000 fishing vessels, including 1,700 trawlers, have been registered as returning to shore or anchoring at harbours and jetties across the state.
The fisheries department advised marine fishermen to return towards the coast on Saturday after the cyclone warning. Many vessels came back from the sea on Sunday, while boats that had gone out several days earlier were still making their way towards shore, Bibhuti Bhusan Rout, deputy director (marine) in the fisheries department, said.
Officials are using loudspeakers to warn fishermen against venturing into the sea during the adverse weather. The department has also sought assistance from the Indian Coast Guard and marine police to support fishermen returning from the sea. Rout said action would be taken against those who ignored the warnings and ventured out.
Fishing vessels have been anchored at locations including Kharinashi, Jamboo and Talachua in Kendrapada district, as well as at Paradip harbour. The suspension has deepened concerns among fishing communities, which have already faced prolonged interruptions caused by repeated low-pressure systems and rain between July and September.
“Now, Cyclone Arnab is compelling us not to venture into the sea; as a result, the fate of fishermen is now hanging in the balance,” Prasanna Behera, president of the Odisha Traditional Fish Workers’ Union, said. Marine fisherman Tushakanta Sardar of Kharinashi said continuous low pressures and cyclones had affected the livelihoods of people dependent on the sea for their daily earnings.
In the Chilika region, ferry and tourist boat services were suspended from Monday and are scheduled to remain closed until October 29. The Puri district administration issued the advisory for the safety of residents and tourists and directed police, block development officers and tehsildars to enforce the restrictions. Officials were also told to take action against violations.
More than 1,000 boats normally operate on the lake from jetties including Barkul, Balugaon, Mangalajodi and Satapada. Ferry services also run between Jhanikuda in Ganjam district and Satapada in Puri district. The suspension affects visitors travelling to Chilika’s Nalaban wildlife sanctuary, dolphin-viewing areas and Kalijai Temple, in addition to local ferry users.
Kendrapada’s week-long Gajalaxmi Puja celebrations have also been affected during their centenary year. A puja committee member said the cyclone warning had subdued celebrations, with cloudy weather adding to the sombre atmosphere on the opening day.
The Kendrapada district administration has placed the area on high alert with a “Zero Loss of Life” mission. All 130 multipurpose cyclone shelters have been prepared with facilities and amenities, while residents of 373 coastal villages are scheduled to be moved to safer locations. The district administration has also ordered arrangements for uninterrupted electricity supply at hospitals. Officials said the next phase would involve carrying out the planned evacuations and enforcing restrictions on sea and lake operations while the cyclone threat continues.
