As Cyclone Arnab weakened into a deep depression on Thursday, the remnant weather system continued to trigger torrential rainfall across southern Odisha districts of Gajapati and Ganjam, causing landslides, road damage, river swelling, and inundation of low-lying areas.
The weather system was centred about 60 km south of Malkangiri district headquarters and was moving northwards at a speed of 15 kmph, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. In Gajapati district, continuous rainfall for more than 36 hours disrupted transportation in hilly areas, with landslides and uprooted trees reported at several places. Around five feet of floodwater was reportedly flowing over the Ghodahada bridge near Palaspur, disrupting traffic on National Highway 326, which connects Digapahandi with Aska. At Patrapur Community Health Centre in Ganjam district, 30-year-old Sukanti Pradhan of Bengei Sahi delivered a baby boy and named him Arnab. At the same hospital, 22-year-old Rukmuni Behera of Chikarada gave birth to a girl at 9.08 am and named her Barsarani.
the river continued to flow above the danger mark, posing a threat to settlements along its banks Although the water level showed signs of receding. The Ghodahada river has swollen following heavy rainfall in the Sanakhemundi and Digapahandi areas.
It is likely to weaken further into a depression over the next few hours and, by evening, into a well-marked low-pressure area, it said. Further rainfall could aggravate the situation, they said. Local media reports said some families named their newborns after the weather system and stormy conditions, with boys named Arnab, Toofan and Pavan, and girls named Barsha and Batasi.
