Odisha Prepares for Cyclone ‘DANA’ Evacuations

Odisha is gearing up to evacuate nearly 1 million people from its coastal districts as Cyclone ‘DANA’ intensifies and approaches the state, with landfall anticipated by October 25. The situation has prompted urgent safety measures across the region.

West Bengal has already taken precautionary steps, relocating over 114,000 residents to shelters. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reports that ‘DANA’ is currently situated about 420 kilometers southeast of Paradip, with wind speeds expected to reach up to 120 km/h (75 mph). The cyclone is projected to make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port by Friday morning.

In response to the impending cyclone, the Eastern and South Eastern Railways have canceled a significant number of train services for October 24 and 25. Additionally, Kolkata airport authorities have suspended flight operations for 15 hours, from 6 pm on October 24 to 9 am on October 25, due to predicted heavy winds and rainfall affecting the coastal region, including Kolkata.

Odisha’s Power Department has established emergency helplines and deployed disaster management teams to handle potential emergencies. Furthermore, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has activated 56 teams across five states, with a strong focus on Odisha and West Bengal.

IMD forecasts suggest that the cyclone will likely intensify into a severe storm, bringing extremely heavy rainfall to several districts, including North and South 24 Parganas, Purba and Paschim Medinipur, Jhargram, Howrah, and Hooghly. Local authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, emphasizing the importance of safety for residents in the affected areas.