Cyclone Arnab: Odisha shuts schools, colleges in five districts October 28-29
By Aditi KulkarniEducation Writer, Peepals Bharat
Representative image: Ali_Ahmad_DANESH / Pixabay
Odisha has closed schools, colleges and Anganwadi centres in Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri on October 28-29, 2026, for Cyclone Arnab.
What Happened
Odisha has ordered schools, colleges and Anganwadi centres in five southern districts, Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri, to stay shut on Wednesday, October 28, and Thursday, October 29, 2026, as Cyclone Arnab approaches the coast, according to reports of an announcement by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. District Collectors in other districts will decide on closures based on local conditions. Reports differ on some details, so parents and students should follow their own district's notice.
Key Facts
- Districts: Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri, all named in several reports as under the closure order.
- Dates: October 28 and 29, 2026, in most reports; another report said the closure covered October 27 and 28.
- Institutions: schools, colleges and Anganwadi centres for young children.
- Other districts: District Collectors will decide on closures depending on local weather.
- Variation: one report listed six districts, adding Nabarangpur, and linked the closures to heavy rain and strong winds expected from October 27.
- The storm: forecast to make landfall on the Andhra Pradesh–Yanam coast around the morning of October 28, with the north Andhra Pradesh–south Odisha coastline in its path.
- Preparation: the state has mobilised around 60 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force teams, 17 National Disaster Response Force teams and 225 Fire Services teams.
Why It Matters
For families in south Odisha, a cyclone warning is first a safety question. Closing institutions before the worst weather arrives keeps students off the roads during heavy rain and strong winds. The decision covers Anganwadi centres too, so the youngest children who attend them will also stay home for two days.
The five districts named lie in the south of the state, close to the storm's expected path across the north Andhra Pradesh–south Odisha coast. The closures are tied to the heavy rain and strong wind alerts for that region, not only to the point of landfall.
The order is also flexible. By leaving other districts to their Collectors, the state allows decisions to follow the storm's actual track rather than a single statewide shutdown. If the cyclone shifts or weakens, closures elsewhere may not be needed; if it brings heavier rain than expected, more districts could follow. One report said Collectors would review conditions daily and could extend closures if required.
What should students and parents do next? Check the notice from your District Collector or school before setting out on October 27, 28 and 29, since dates and district lists in early reports differ. College students with exams, practicals or events on these dates should watch for rescheduling notices from their university or principal. Families in low-lying areas should follow official evacuation advice.
| | Item | What reports say | |
|---|---|
| | Districts named | Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri | |
| | Possible addition | Nabarangpur (one report) | |
| | Closure dates | October 28 and 29 (most reports); October 27 and 28 (one report) | |
| | Institutions | Schools, colleges, Anganwadi centres | |
| | Other districts | Collectors to decide | |
Impact
Short-term: Students and young children in the five districts lose two days of classes and Anganwadi services, and some college exams, practicals and events in the region may be postponed. Families will need to arrange care for children at home on both days.
Long-term: Schools will need to make up lost teaching days, especially in districts where heavy rain often disrupts classes. If damage is serious, some buildings may stay unusable for longer, delaying reopening beyond October 29.
Who is affected: School and college students and their families in Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri; young children and mothers who use Anganwadi centres; teachers and staff; and students in nearby districts where Collectors may announce closures.
Key Takeaway
Odisha has shut schools, colleges and Anganwadi centres in Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri on October 28 and 29, 2026, for Cyclone Arnab, with Collectors in other districts to decide locally.
Questions and Answers
Are schools closed in Odisha due to Cyclone Arnab?
Yes, in five districts. Schools, colleges and Anganwadi centres in Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri are to remain closed on October 28 and 29, 2026, according to reports of the Chief Minister's announcement. One report listed Nabarangpur as well.
What about schools in other Odisha districts?
District Collectors in other districts will decide on closures based on local weather. Students and parents should check their own district's official notice.
When will Cyclone Arnab make landfall?
The storm is forecast to cross the coast around the morning of October 28, with landfall expected on the Andhra Pradesh–Yanam coast and the north Andhra Pradesh–south Odisha coastline in its path.
Will closures be extended beyond October 29?
That has not been decided. One report said Collectors will review conditions daily and may extend closures if needed, so families should watch for fresh notices.
Disclaimer: Prepared by the Peepals newsroom from publicly available sources with AI assistance. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and may change. Images may be representative. Not professional advice. Report an error via our contact page.
By Aditi Kulkarni, Education WriterCovers Education and more for Peepals Bharat. All stories by Aditi Kulkarni
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Aditi Kulkarni is a pen name of the Peepals Global Editorial Team, which researches, fact-checks and publishes every story. The portrait is an illustration.
