India, Nov. 13 -- The unprecedented rainfall triggered by Cyclone Arnab, which battered parts of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh after making landfall on October 28, has sparked a debate in Odisha over reservoir management and disaster preparedness.

Opposition parties and former officials are questioning whether better planning could have mitigated the devastating floods in Ganjam district, where the swollen Rushikulya river affected approximately 1.5 lakh people, although a final assessment is still underway. Casualties were also reported in Ganjam district following the torrential rainfall in the aftermath of the cyclone.

A few days ago, former chief minister and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik wrote to chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi...