Odisha Deploys Five IAS Officers for Cyclone Arnab Preparedness; K. Sudarshan Chakravarthy Assigned to Rayagada
The officers have been assigned to Rayagada, Koraput, Gajapati, Malkangiri and Nabarangpur, where they will work closely with the respective district administrations.
According to an order issued by the General Administration and Public Grievance Department on October 25, 2026, the officers have been directed to proceed to their designated districts immediately and assist local authorities in preparing for the approaching weather system.
The deployment is intended to reinforce administrative coordination at the district level and ensure that preparedness measures, emergency response arrangements and restoration plans are implemented effectively.
Five IAS Officers Deployed Across Southern Odisha
The state government has nominated one officer for each of the five districts identified for the special administrative deployment.
Rayagada: K. Sudarshan Chakravarthy, Managing Director, Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation.
Koraput: Dr Poma Tudu, Additional Secretary, ST & SC Development, Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare Department.
Gajapati: Bijay Kumar Dash, Additional Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department.
Malkangiri: Dr Yeddula Vijay, Director of Sports.
Nabarangpur: Dr Maheswar Swain, Additional Secretary to the Chief Minister.
The officers will assist the district collectors and their teams in overseeing preparedness measures, coordinating relief operations and facilitating rehabilitation and restoration work, as required.
K. Sudarshan Chakravarthy Assigned to Rayagada
K. Sudarshan Chakravarthy, a 2011-batch IAS officer of the Odisha cadre, has been assigned to Rayagada district. He is currently serving as Managing Director of the Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation Limited (OSCSC), a state government undertaking involved in civil supplies and distribution-related functions.
Chakravarthy holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electronics from Osmania University. His deployment places him alongside the Rayagada district administration at a critical stage of the state’s cyclone preparedness efforts.
He will assist local officials in coordinating the necessary arrangements before the cyclone and support relief and restoration activities in its aftermath, depending on the situation.
Dr Poma Tudu to Assist Koraput Administration
Dr Poma Tudu, a 2012-batch IAS officer of the Odisha cadre, has been assigned to Koraput. She holds an MBBS degree in Medicine and is currently serving as Additional Secretary in the ST & SC Development, Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare Department.
Her deployment is intended to strengthen coordination between the state administration and district authorities as Koraput prepares for the possible impact of the approaching cyclone.
Bijay Kumar Dash Assigned to Gajapati
Bijay Kumar Dash, an IAS officer promoted from the State Civil Service, has been deployed to Gajapati district. He is presently serving as Additional Secretary in the Health and Family Welfare Department.
His administrative responsibilities during the deployment will include assisting the district administration with preparedness measures and coordinating relief-related activities in accordance with the state’s response arrangements.
Dr Yeddula Vijay to Oversee Preparedness in Malkangiri
Dr Yeddula Vijay, a 2014-batch IAS officer of the Odisha cadre, has been assigned to Malkangiri district. He currently serves as Director of Sports in the state.
Dr Vijay holds an MD in Medicine Surgery from Kannur University. He has been directed to work with the district administration to strengthen preparedness and support the coordination of response measures.
His deployment forms part of the government’s broader effort to ensure that vulnerable districts have adequate administrative support during the period of heightened weather-related risk.
Dr Maheswar Swain Assigned to Nabarangpur
Dr Maheswar Swain, a 2014-batch IAS officer promoted from the State Civil Service, has been deployed to Nabarangpur district. He is currently serving as Additional Secretary to the Chief Minister.
Dr Swain holds an MPhil and a PhD in Psychology. His assignment brings an officer serving in the Chief Minister’s Office into the district-level coordination framework for cyclone preparedness.
He will assist local authorities in implementing preparedness measures and coordinating the administrative response as the situation develops.
Odisha Government Intensifies Cyclone Preparedness
The deployment follows a high-level review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on October 24, during which the state’s preparedness for Cyclone Arnab was assessed. The Chief Minister directed the concerned departments and district administrations to remain vigilant and ensure that necessary arrangements were in place.
According to the Chief Minister’s Office, 302 rescue teams have been kept ready for emergency operations. Authorities have also been instructed to relocate residents from low-lying and vulnerable areas to safer shelters, arrange medical assistance for those requiring special care and prepare for the restoration of essential services.
The continuity of road connectivity, electricity supply and drinking water has been identified as an important component of the response and recovery arrangements.
The government has reiterated its commitment to the principle of “Zero Casualty” while managing the potential impact of the cyclone. The emphasis is on timely preparedness, effective coordination among departments and prompt action wherever emergency intervention becomes necessary.
The five IAS officers are expected to play an important role in supporting district administrations as Odisha prepares for the approaching weather system. Their deployment is designed to strengthen local coordination and help ensure that relief, rehabilitation and restoration measures can be undertaken promptly, depending on the cyclone’s eventual impact.
As the situation evolves, the effectiveness of coordination between the state government, district collectors and emergency response teams will be crucial to protecting vulnerable communities and minimising disruption to essential services.
