Cyclone Arnab: Coast Guard airlifts stranded villagers from flood-hit Odisha

The Indian Coast Guard began airlifting residents trapped by Cyclone Arnab's flooding and landslides in Odisha's Ganjam and Gajapati districts. Over 300 villages were affected, with 70 cut off as rivers swelled. Authorities deployed rescue teams, evacuating thousands. Road and rail services faced disruptions, including a submerged bridge in neighboring Andhra Pradesh. Schools and anganwadi centers remain closed until October 31. Heavy rainfall, exceeding 500 mm in some areas, caused extensive damage, prompting nationwide support pledges for Odisha's recovery efforts.