Cyclone Dana, which emerged from the Bay of Bengal, is now intensifying, and will make landfall on Bengal and Odisha in the early hours of Friday.
As per the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the recent cyclonic storm – Cyclone Dana, which formed over the east-central Bay of Bengal, is now all set to intensify and make a landfall along the Odisha coast. With wind speeds of 100-120 kmph, Cyclone Dana is expected to strike on the night of October 24, and thereby, bring a massive impact on the region of Odisha and Bengal.
With the cyclone, heavy rainfall and thunderstorms along the eastern coast of India is expected. Hence, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has already deployed 56 teams across five states on the eastern coast, including Odisha and West Bengal. According to Odisha chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi, around 30 percent of the people, or around 3-4 lakh people, who were considered to be in the 'danger zone', have been evacuated.
As the Odisha government is bracing ahead of the storm, there’s a massive evacuation plan in place that can relocate around 10 lakh people in 14 districts. Coming to Bengal, more than 1.14 lakh people from various districts have already been evacuated.
Ahead of the cyclonic storm, the Kolkata international airport has suspended all flight operations for about 15 hours starting from 6:00 pm on Thursday until 9:00 am on Friday. Airlines such as IndiGo and Air India have shared helpline numbers for affected passengers. Same goes for Bhubaneswar airport, which is shut starting 5:00 pm on Thursday.
The Eastern Railway has already cancelled 190 local trains within West Bengal, while South Eastern Railway has cancelled over 150 trains passing through or originating from Odisha between October 23 and 25.
Schools, colleges and universities in 14 districts of Odisha have been closed till October 25. In West Bengal, the closure of schools and colleges in nine districts will be in place until October 25.
The preliminary test of the Odisha civil service examination, which was set to happen on October 27, has now been postponed due to the impending storm, and a fresh date will be announced after seven days.
Amid the storm, Odisha has closed the Nandankanan Zoo and State Botanical Garden for visitors on October 24 and 25. Similarly, the Similipal Tiger Reserve and Bhitarkanika National Park have been shut down from October 23 to 25.
The National Disaster Response Force has placed 56 teams in both Odisha and West Bengal. Rescue and relief teams from the Army and Navy are on high alert.
The Indian Coast Guard is set on "high alert" ahead of the cyclonic storm Dana, and their vessels and aircraft have been strategically positioned for any emergency.
The Orissa High Court will remain shut on Thursday and Friday, while the HC declared November 30 and December 7 — both Saturdays — as working days.
The operations in West Bengal’s largest port of Paradip has suspended operations from Wednesday night to be prepared for emergency evacuations ahead of the storm.
