Odisha Fire and Emergency Services rescued at least 300 people across flood-hit Ganjam district over 24 hours as swollen rivers, incessant rain and dam-water releases inundated villages, roads, colonies and other urban pockets after Cyclone Arnab made landfall in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. The rescue operation involved 35 teams and around 400 firefighters deployed across the worst-affected areas.
The operations covered a wide range of emergencies, including devotees stranded at a flooded temple, residents trapped inside inundated colonies, motorists caught on submerged roads and a woman bitten by a venomous snake while marooned in her home. Officials said rising water levels and strong currents cut off several locations in the district.
One of the major operations took place at the Budhi Thakurani temple near Bhanjanagar after water released from Daha Dam rapidly inundated the area around the shrine. Fifteen devotees, including elderly men and women, were stranded as floodwaters rose around the temple. Personnel from the Bhanjanagar fire station reached the site with rescue equipment and evacuated all 15 people using lifebuoys, life jackets and rope lines, according to IGP (OFES) Uma Shankar Dash.
At Seragada, fire services personnel rescued 41-year-old Sabita Swain from Gobindapur village after she was bitten by a venomous snake inside her flood-surrounded house. The team navigated through the inundated area, evacuated her and shifted her to a government hospital. Her condition was reported to be stable.
Two motorists, K B Ravichandran, 48, and D Saroj Kumar, 47, were rescued after their SUV became trapped in nearly seven feet of water on the Sorada-Daringbadi road near Jarau Chhak. Both men were brought to safety unharmed. Additional rescue operations were conducted at Kodanda Chhak and Rainbow Colony, where 55 people, including women and children, were stranded after heavy runoff from nearby hills and the release of dam water flooded the area.
The scale of the response highlights the operational demands placed on emergency services when intense rainfall, hill runoff and dam releases combine to affect both rural settlements and built-up areas. Rescue teams had to work across roads, homes, colonies and public places, with some operations requiring lifebuoys, life jackets and rope lines rather than conventional road access.
“Despite severe conditions and strong currents, our teams remained on the ground to ensure no distress call went unanswered. Saving lives remains our foremost priority during such emergencies,” a senior OFES officer said. In one operation, a Seragada rescue team itself remained stranded for several hours before resuming evacuation efforts after water levels receded. Officials said rescue and relief operations continued in the affected parts of Ganjam.
