Odisha has stepped up its preparations for another cyclonic storm as Cyclone Murasu approaches the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh coast, even as the state continues to deal with the destruction caused by Cyclone Arnab and subsequent floods.

The death toll from Cyclone Arnab in Odisha rose to six on Sunday after two more bodies were recovered from a landslide-hit village in the southern part of the state. Ten people remain missing, with search operations underway to trace them.

According to Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh P Patil, Cyclone Arnab, which made landfall in Andhra Pradesh on October 28, and the subsequent floods have affected around 1.18 lakh people in Odisha. The disaster has also affected 75,388 hectares of agricultural land and damaged 1,672 houses.

Cyclone Murasu likely to hit Andhra Pradesh on November 3

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Murasu is expected to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm before making landfall between Nellore and Narsapur in Andhra Pradesh on the intervening night of November 2 and 3.

The storm is likely to bring wind speeds of 100-110 kmph, with gusts reaching 120 kmph.

India has named the cyclone Murasu, which means ‘war drum’.

Manorama Mohanty, Director of the Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, said Odisha would begin receiving rainfall from November 2, with its intensity expected to increase on November 3. Rainfall is likely to continue until November 4 under the influence of the cyclone.

Six dead, 10 missing after Cyclone Arnab

The death toll from Cyclone Arnab increased to six following the recovery of two bodies from a landslide-affected village in southern Odisha. Officials said search operations were continuing for 10 missing people.

The hilltop village of Gidipabali, located along the border of Ganjam and Kandhamal districts, was severely affected by a massive landslide triggered by cyclone-induced rainfall.

The village, which was home to around 26 people, was buried under sludge and debris that cascaded down the hills and destroyed houses.

At least 13 people who managed to escape the landslide have been shifted to a relief centre near G Udaygiri, Kandhamal District Collector Vedbhusan said.

Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh P Patil said at least 10 landslide incidents had been reported during Cyclone Arnab, making them a major challenge for the state.

Odisha steps up preparations for fresh cyclone

With another storm approaching, the Odisha government has intensified its preparations, particularly in the southern districts that were badly affected by Cyclone Arnab.

Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said the government was fully prepared to deal with the approaching cyclone and urged people not to panic.

The state has issued a high alert in its southern region, including Ganjam district. Authorities have also ordered the evacuation of people living in low-lying areas and hilly terrain before Cyclone Murasu makes landfall.

Some districts in southern Odisha have announced the closure of schools and colleges until November 3.

Meanwhile, more than 6,400 personnel have been deployed to accelerate the restoration of electricity supply in cyclone-affected areas.

Mohan Majhi announces relief package for affected families

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi conducted an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas and announced a special relief package for affected families.

Under the package, each family affected by the floods in the southern region will receive 50 kg of rice and Rs 2,500. Financial assistance will also be provided for crop losses, house damage and livelihood-related losses.

Majhi said the relief package would be reviewed after assessing the damage caused by Cyclone Murasu.

He also said disaster response teams were on standby, vulnerable low-lying areas were being monitored and fishermen had been strictly advised against venturing into the sea.

Additionally, an eight-member inter-ministerial central team will visit Odisha from November 2 to 4 to assess the damage caused by Cyclone Arnab.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has taken a dig at the Congress over an alleged AI-generated photograph showing a massive gathering at the INDIA bloc’s rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan.

In a post on X on Sunday, Rijiju accused the Congress of sharing an artificially generated image to create the impression that the venue was packed with supporters. Taking a swipe at the party, he suggested that even the purported AI-generated photograph had not been created properly.

“Even the fake AI photo to show that Ramlila ground was full is not done properly by the fake narrative team of Congress Party!” Rijiju wrote.

His remarks came after the INDIA bloc organised a rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1, bringing together several Opposition leaders to protest against alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.

BJP questions Congress’s claim of 10 lakh attendees

The controversy over the photograph came amid a political dispute between the BJP and Congress over the number of people who attended the Opposition rally.

Ahead of the gathering, the INDIA bloc had projected an attendance of around 10 lakh people. However, BJP leaders questioned the claim following the event.

BJP MP Sambit Patra alleged that a significant portion of Ramlila Maidan remained vacant during the rally. He claimed that around 5,000 to 7,000 chairs out of the 28,000 at the venue were unoccupied between 3:30 pm and 4 pm.

Patra also claimed that approximately 40 per cent of the ground was empty, questioning the Opposition’s projected attendance figure.

These claims formed part of the BJP’s criticism of the rally’s turnout.

INDIA bloc rally targeted Election Commission

The November 1 gathering was organised by the INDIA bloc to protest against alleged irregularities in the functioning of the Election Commission and the SIR exercise.

The Opposition’s demands included accountability over the electoral roll revision process and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Several prominent Opposition leaders attended the gathering, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav.

During his address, Rahul Gandhi accused the Chief Election Commissioner of facilitating alleged vote theft and said the Opposition would continue its fight to protect the Constitution through peaceful and democratic means.

The rally and the subsequent exchanges between BJP and Congress leaders brought the dispute over electoral rolls and crowd attendance into sharper political focus.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has married journalist Nidhi Razdan, with the couple announcing the development through social media posts on Saturday. The two also shared photographs from their celebrations, marking the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.

Omar Abdullah, 56, posted pictures of the couple on X, accompanying them with the caption, “A new journey began yesterday.” He also tagged Nidhi Razdan in his post.

Responding to the announcement, Razdan, 49, shared a message of her own, writing, “It’s done bro @OmarAbdullah”, confirming their marriage.

The wedding was preceded by a small family gathering in Srinagar, where close members of both families came together to celebrate the occasion, according to people familiar with the development.

Family members attend wedding celebrations

The celebrations were attended by Omar Abdullah’s parents, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah and Mollie Abdullah, along with his three sisters and other close relatives.

Razdan’s parents, veteran journalist MK Razdan and Sarla Razdan, were also present at the celebrations.

The couple shared photographs from the occasion on their respective social media accounts, announcing their marriage publicly.

Omar Abdullah’s previous marriage dissolved by Supreme Court

The marriage comes after the Supreme Court formally dissolved Omar Abdullah’s marriage to Payal Abdullah in July, following a settlement between the estranged couple.

The two, who have two sons, had been involved in matrimonial proceedings spanning several years. They eventually resolved their outstanding disputes through mediation and jointly sought the dissolution of their marriage.

In July, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Omar Abdullah, informed a Supreme Court bench comprising Justice PS Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe that both sides had reached an agreement and agreed to withdraw the cases filed against each other.

“Both of them have embraced freedom. It’s all settled. Lordships may grant divorce. All other matters will be withdrawn,” Sibal told the court.

The bench accepted the settlement and indicated that it would pass orders in accordance with the terms agreed upon by both parties.