Odisha Deploys 4 IAS Officers to Cyclone-Affected Districts; Shiv Malviya Assigned to Kandhamal
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has deployed four IAS officers to three cyclone-affected districts – Gajapati, Ganjam and Kandhamal – to strengthen relief, rehabilitation and restoration operations following Cyclone Arnab.
The deployment is aimed at accelerating assistance to affected communities, improving coordination with district administrations and ensuring the timely implementation of relief measures.
According to an official order issued by the Office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), the officers have been deputed with immediate effect under the provisions of the Odisha Relief Code and the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
Four IAS Officers Assigned to Three Affected Districts
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari announced the deployment and outlined the district-wise allocation of the officers.
The four IAS officers have been assigned as follows:
- Aji Kumar: Ganjam
- Tejaswani Behera: Ganjam
- Pawan Kumar: Gajapati
- Shiv Malviya: Kandhamal
The minister said all four officers had been vested with the powers of Additional Special Relief Commissioners (SRCs) to strengthen relief and restoration efforts in the affected districts.
Officers to Oversee Relief and Restoration Operations
The deputed officers will report to their respective District Collectors and function under their overall supervision.
Their responsibilities will include coordinating field-level relief operations, assessing immediate requirements, facilitating the distribution of essential supplies and monitoring the restoration of critical services, as assigned by the concerned collectors.
During their deployment, they will function as Additional Relief Commissioners and remain in their respective districts until the responsibilities entrusted to them have been completed.
Cyclone Arnab Causes Extensive Damage in Southern Odisha
Cyclone Arnab, accompanied by heavy rainfall, has caused extensive damage across southern Odisha, with Gajapati, Ganjam and Kandhamal emerging as the worst-affected districts.
The deployment of senior administrative officers is intended to strengthen field-level monitoring and ensure that relief and restoration measures are implemented efficiently.
Minister Suresh Pujari also stated that the officers would monitor the implementation of financial assistance packages announced by the Chief Minister for cyclone-affected people. They will oversee the process to ensure that eligible beneficiaries receive the announced assistance.
Central Team Visits Gajapati to Assess Cyclone Damage
Meanwhile, a central assessment team that arrived in Bhubaneswar on Monday proceeded to Gajapati district on Tuesday to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the damage caused by Cyclone Arnab.
The team is scheduled to visit Ganjam district on Wednesday. It will also hold discussions with the State Chief Secretary and other senior officials before concluding its visit.
The assessment is expected to provide a clearer picture of the extent of cyclone-related damage and help evaluate the requirements for relief, rehabilitation and restoration across the affected districts.
The deployment of four IAS officers, alongside the central team’s assessment, forms part of the administrative response to the cyclone’s impact in southern Odisha. The immediate focus remains on effective field coordination, timely financial assistance and the restoration of essential services.
