Chhattisgarh on High Alert Over Possible Cyclone ‘Arnab’; Collectors Told to Step Up Preparedness

Additional Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Pingua chairs a high-level meeting with senior departmental officials at Mahanadi Bhavan in Nava Raipur on Monday, October 26, 2026, to review cyclone preparedness, evacuation arrangements and the continuity of essential services. Photo: primelookindia.com via CG/DPR.

High-level review sets zero loss of life as the priority, with special precautions ordered for October 27–29 and heightened vigilance in Bastar districts.

Key Highlights

• Additional Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Pingua reviews preparedness at Mahanadi Bhavan.
• All district collectors are directed to remain alert and take weather warnings seriously.
• Bijapur, Sukma, Dantewada, Bastar and Narayanpur receive special attention.
• Relief camps, medical services and evacuation arrangements are reviewed.
• Authorities are told to protect children, pregnant women, farmers and livestock.
• NDRF and SDRF teams are directed to remain ready at designated locations.

Raipur: Chhattisgarh steps up emergency preparedness over the possible impact of the Bay of Bengal cyclonic system identified as ‘Arnab’ in the state government’s communication, directing all district collectors to remain on high alert and take special precautions from October 27 to 29. A high-level meeting chaired by Additional Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Pingua at Mahanadi Bhavan reviews arrangements to protect lives, maintain essential services and minimise damage to crops, livestock and infrastructure.

Collectors from all districts and senior departmental officers participate through video conferencing. The review places particular emphasis on coordinated action and timely preparations in vulnerable areas.

Zero Loss of Life Takes Priority

District collectors and officials join a video conference on cyclone preparedness chaired by Additional Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Pingua from Mahanadi Bhavan in Nava Raipur on Monday, October 26, 2026, with special precautions directed for October 27–29. Photo: primelookindia.com via CG/DPR.

Pingua directs officials to maintain full preparedness and treat weather-related warnings with utmost seriousness, with zero loss of life as the central objective.

Special vigilance is ordered in Bijapur, Sukma, Dantewada, Bastar and Narayanpur districts, where strong winds may affect vulnerable settlements.

Authorities are instructed to keep relief camps operational round the clock and ensure that essential facilities are available for people requiring shelter.

Medical Services and Safe Movement of Pregnant Women

The Health Department is directed to ensure uninterrupted access to medical services during any emergency.

Officials are also asked to prepare lists of pregnant women and arrange for their movement to safe locations whenever necessary.

The instructions focus on identifying vulnerable residents in advance so that assistance can be provided promptly if conditions deteriorate.

Safety Measures for Children, Farmers and Livestock

District administrations are told to assess local conditions and make safe arrangements for schoolchildren and young children attending Anganwadi centres.

Officials are also directed to issue detailed crop advisories and take steps to minimise potential losses to agriculture and livestock.

National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force teams are instructed to remain fully prepared at designated locations.

Assess Vulnerable Homes and Arrange Timely Evacuation

Revenue and Disaster Management Secretary Shammi Abidi stresses the need to assess possible damage to kutcha houses from strong winds.

Officials are asked to identify vulnerable areas and move residents to safer locations in time, wherever required.

The review also calls for an assessment of hoardings and other unsafe structures that could pose a danger during adverse weather.

Protect Power, Telecom and Road Connectivity

The Electricity Department is directed to remain prepared for damage arising from fallen electricity poles and related disruptions.

Alternative arrangements are to be ensured to reduce the risk of interruptions to telecommunications.

Authorities are also asked to make arrangements for the immediate removal of fallen trees so that roads remain accessible and movement is restored quickly wherever routes become blocked.

Departments Directed to Coordinate Emergency Response

Health and Family Welfare Secretary Amit Kataria and senior officials from the NDRF, SDRF, Revenue and Disaster Management Department and Home Department attend the meeting.

The state government directs all departments to work in close coordination and maintain readiness to respond to any emergency, with district administrations responsible for translating the preparedness measures into action on the ground.