Raipur, October 26, 2026/ Union Cabinet Secretary Dr T. V. Somanathan on Monday held a video conference with chief secretaries of all states from New Delhi to issue directions on preparedness and response measures in view of the possibility of Cyclone Arnab developing over the Bay of Bengal.
Additional Chief Secretary Shri Manoj Kumar Pingua joined the meeting from Mantralaya Mahanadi Bhawan and briefed the Cabinet Secretary on Chhattisgarh’s preparedness to deal with the possible cyclone.
Shri Pingua said the departments concerned had been placed on alert to deal with any eventuality. In view of the possibility of heavy rainfall in the South Bastar region on October 28, precautionary measures are being taken. Seven State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams are on standby with the necessary equipment. Home Guards and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are also ready to respond to emergencies.
He said arrangements had been made in potentially affected areas for relief camps, healthcare facilities, food supplies, transport and communication. If required, people would be evacuated to safer locations and relief camps would be set up. The state government is taking all necessary precautions to prevent loss of life and ensure prompt relief and rescue operations in an emergency.
During the meeting, the Cabinet Secretary stressed that preventing loss of life must be the highest priority for all states during the cyclone. He stressed the need for precautionary measures to prevent incidents such as tree falls, wall collapses and road accidents during the cyclone.
He also emphasised the need for effective warning systems, timely evacuation of people wherever necessary, and regular communication and coordination between state governments and district administrations.
