Bhubaneswar: The state govt on Thursday said it has taken proactive steps to handle devastating floods triggered by cyclone Arnab in Ganjam and highlighted that extensive restoration works are underway to repair damaged irrigation and flood-control infrastructure across southern districts.Addressing a news conference, revenue and disaster management minister Suresh Pujari said the unprecedented rainfall that lashed Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal districts led to a flash flood situation in Rushikulya river basin. He said while weather forecasts cannot be perfectly precise, govt remained prepared based on alerts from IMD.Pujari said Ganjam witnessed rainfall of a magnitude never recorded before. While the district received an average cumulative rainfall of 337.6 mm between Oct 28 and 30, Patrapur block alone recorded 808.4 mm during the three-day period, including 546 mm in just 24 hours on Oct 29.He said widespread heavy rain across Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal districts rapidly swelled rivers and streams, triggering severe flooding. Govt is also examining landslide risks after several landslide-related deaths and injuries were reported during the disaster in the districts.The water resources department, meanwhile, said restoration of damaged canals, drainage channels, river embankments and irrigation systems has gathered pace. Across seven major and medium irrigation divisions, 169 restoration works have been completed and 257 are in progress. Around 4.77 km of damaged stretches have already been restored.The department said major repairs are underway at critical locations along Rushikulya river system, while 5.3 km of damaged drainage stretches have been restored under the Berhampur drainage division. Temporary restoration has also been completed in 27 minor irrigation projects, including 21 in Ganjam district. Further, Odisha Lift Irrigation Corporation has initiated restoration work at 127 damaged lift irrigation points, including 93 in Ganjam.Highlighting govt’s disaster-response efforts, Pujari said no direct deaths were reported in Ganjam due to Cyclone Arnab or the ensuing floods despite the unprecedented rainfall. He credited coordinated rescue operations, including helicopter-based evacuation missions, deployment of ministers and senior officers in affected districts, and advance preparedness measures.The minister said the state has announced compensation for damage to houses, crops and businesses, while affected families will receive 50 kg of rice and Rs 2,500 assistance. He also said Odisha has begun working with IITs and other technical institutions to develop climate-resilient and flood-resistant infrastructure to mitigate future disasters.