Cyclone Arnab Alert: Malkangiri Farmers Rush to Save Their Paddy Crops

Farmers in Malkangiri district are racing against time to save their paddy crops as Cyclone Arnab approaches the eastern coast of India. With heavy to extremely heavy rainfall forecast in parts of southern Odisha, many farmers are trying to bring their crops home before the rain arrives.

For farmers, the timing could hardly be worse. Paddy is ready for harvesting in several fields, and a few days of continuous rain could damage the crop they have spent months growing.

Some farmers are using harvesters to cut the paddy quickly, while others are hiring labourers where machines cannot reach. There are also reports of farmers cutting some crops before they are fully mature because they fear that waiting could lead to greater losses.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has confirmed that Cyclone Arnab formed over the Bay of Bengal. Its October 26 forecast said the storm was likely to intensify further and move towards the Andhra Pradesh coast. Southern Odisha, including Malkangiri, is also at risk of heavy rainfall.

Why are farmers in such a hurry?

Paddy harvesting is a race against the weather when a cyclone or prolonged rainfall is approaching.

If mature paddy remains standing in the field during heavy rain, the crop may fall over, become difficult to harvest or suffer damage. Harvested paddy can also be affected if it gets wet and cannot be dried properly.

Moisture can reduce grain quality and create problems during storage. For farmers who depend on the crop for their annual income, even a partial loss can have serious financial consequences.

That is why harvesting has picked up across parts of Malkangiri. Farmers are trying to finish the work before the expected spell of rain, even if it means working longer hours.

However, harvesting too early can also affect grain quality and yield. The challenge is to save the mature crop without cutting too much paddy before it is ready.

What advice are farmers receiving?

Agriculture officials have advised farmers to harvest mature crops as soon as possible and move the harvested paddy to a dry, safe place.

Farmers are also being encouraged to protect cut crops from rain and avoid leaving harvested paddy exposed in the fields. Where possible, grain should be covered and stored away from waterlogging.

NDRF and ODRAF teams prepared for emergency response

The Malkangiri district administration has also stepped up preparations to deal with the possible impact of the cyclone.

According to local reporting, a 30-member National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team from Cuttack was scheduled to be stationed at Kalimela, while a 36-member Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) team was preparing to operate from Mathili.

Fire services teams have also been asked to remain alert. Officials across the district have been instructed to coordinate their preparations and stay ready to respond if the weather situation worsens.

These arrangements are intended to help the administration respond quickly to flooding, damage and other emergencies.

Why are schools and colleges being closed?

As a precaution, the district administration ordered schools, colleges and Anganwadi centres in Malkangiri to remain closed until October 29, according to local reports.

The closure is intended to reduce risks to children, students, staff and families if heavy rain disrupts transport or creates dangerous conditions.

Officials have also been directed to keep emergency arrangements ready across the district. Activities at Satiguda have reportedly been suspended as part of the precautions.

Residents should follow the latest instructions issued by the district administration, as closure dates and other safety measures may change with the weather forecast.

What is being done for people in low-lying areas?

Heavy rain can quickly create problems in low-lying areas, particularly where drainage is poor or people live in vulnerable houses.

The district administration has directed officials to identify residents who may need to be moved to safer locations. People living in low-lying areas and houses that may not withstand severe weather are among those who could require assistance.

Four permanent cyclone shelters in the district, along with temporary shelters, have been asked to remain ready.

The aim is to move people before conditions become dangerous rather than wait until roads are flooded or rescue operations become difficult.

How serious is the cyclone threat to Odisha?

The IMD’s October 26 forecast said Cyclone Arnab was expected to strengthen over the Bay of Bengal and cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam around the morning of October 28.

Although the forecast track pointed towards Andhra Pradesh, southern Odisha was also expected to receive heavy to extremely heavy rainfall. Malkangiri was among the districts identified as vulnerable.

A cyclone does not have to make landfall directly in a district to cause damage there. Heavy rainfall can lead to waterlogging, flooding, crop losses and disruption to roads and other services.

The exact impact depends on the storm's movement, intensity and the amount of rain received in individual areas. Residents should rely on updated IMD bulletins and local administration advisories for the latest information.

What happens next?

For now, farmers in Malkangiri are focused on bringing their paddy harvest to safety, while officials are preparing for possible rain-related emergencies.

The next few days will be important for both agriculture and public safety. If rainfall is severe, farmers could face losses even after harvesting, particularly if they cannot dry or store the crop properly.

The administration's immediate priorities are to keep rescue teams ready, prepare shelters and move vulnerable residents if necessary.

For Malkangiri's farming families, the hope is that they can save as much of their harvest as possible before the weather turns worse.