New Delhi: Cyclone Dana is expected to make landfall tonight near Bhitarkanika and Dhamra in Odisha, with wind speeds predicted to reach 100-120 kmph. Both Odisha and West Bengal have initiated emergency measures, evacuating vulnerable populations and suspending transportation services.
Here are the top 10 developments:
Landfall Location: The cyclone will pass along the north Odisha and West Bengal coasts between Puri and Sagar Island, with Bhitarkanika and Dhamra being the key impact zones.
Timing of Landfall: Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director-General of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), said that landfall will begin tonight and continue into the morning of October 25, with winds peaking at around 120 kmph.
Odisha’s Preparations: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Manjhi announced that safety measures are in place for vulnerable districts such as Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore, Jagatsinghpur, and Puri.
Evacuation Progress: “Evacuation is ongoing, with 30% of the population already relocated. We aim to evacuate 90% by 11 am tomorrow,” the Chief Minister said. Over 4 lakh people have been evacuated so far.
Suspension of Transport in Odisha: Bhubaneswar’s Biju Patnaik International Airport will halt operations for 16 hours starting Thursday evening, with train services also suspended.
West Bengal Evacuations: Bengal has relocated over 1.4 lakh residents from Sagar Island, Sundarbans, and Kakdwip. Another 2.8 lakh people are being moved from Bankura, Hooghly, Howrah, Kolkata, and the 24 Parganas districts.
Flight and Train Disruptions in Bengal: Kolkata airport will remain closed for 15 hours starting 6 pm Thursday. Additionally, 190 local trains have been canceled by the Eastern Railway.
Tourist Advisory: Tourists in Digha, Shankarpur, and Tajpur have been advised to stay indoors, and beach activities have been banned as a precaution.
Disaster Response Teams Deployed: The Coast Guard and multiple disaster response battalions are on high alert, with fishermen ordered to suspend operations for the next two days.
NDRF Deployment: A total of 56 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been deployed across five states. Odisha has 20 teams (with one in reserve), and West Bengal has 17 teams (with 13 in reserve). Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh have also received NDRF teams in anticipation of heavy rains and flooding.
With emergency services in place, both Odisha and West Bengal are bracing for the cyclone’s impact, aiming to minimize loss of life and property damage.
