Bhubaneswar, Oct. 27 -- The Odisha government has stepped up its preparations to tackle Cyclone Arnab, with plans to evacuate 48,010 people living in vulnerable areas across eight districts in the first phase.

The evacuation process is already underway and is expected to continue throughout the day, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Rajesh Prabhakar Patil said.

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The evacuation plan is underway in Nabarangpur, Gajapati, Malkangiri, Ganjam, Koraput, Kalahandi, Nuapada and Rayagada districts. District Collectors have drawn up plans to relocate vulnerable residents to safer locations.

Nabarangpur has the highest number of people identified for evacuati...