Now Reading: Chilika suspends boat services as Cyclone Arnab nears
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Chilika suspends boat services as Cyclone Arnab nears
The Story in Brief
Ferry and tourist boat services in Chilika, India's largest brackish water lagoon, have been suspended from Monday (26 October 2026) until 29 October due to Cyclone Arnab. The Puri district administration issued the order for the safety of people and tourists, and has directed police, block development officers and tehsildars to enforce it strictly.
Over 1,000 boats operate from jetties including Barkul, Balugaon, Mangalajodi and Satapada. The government has also advised fishermen not to venture into the sea and asked those already at sea to return. Devidutt Mohanty, additional fishery officer (marine) for Ganjam district, said officials are creating awareness in 31 fishermen-dominated coastal villages and will certify that fishermen are home and not at sea.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The suspension covers both tourist and ferry services, disrupting access to Nalaban wildlife sanctuary and Kalijai temple for visitors during the peak tourism season. Ganjam district’s 31 coastal fishing villages face direct exposure: the order requires tehsildars and fishery officers to physically verify each fisherman's presence at home, a rare enforcement step that shows the administration’s assessment of the cyclone's severity. The restriction runs through 29 October, after which services may resume if conditions allow.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Methodology and corrections.
