Cyclone Dana is likely to make landfall tonight, bringing extreme weather conditions along the Odisha and West Bengal coasts. The India Meteorological Department issued a red alert. Authorities are making all efforts while working night shift to save the resultant damage from this mighty storm.
Mass Evacuations Underway
Over 1.1 million people in low-lying areas of Odisha have been evacuated as Cyclone Dana approaches. The storm is likely to make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port, and has already prompted the Odisha government to close schools and halt public transportation in the affected zones. Fishermen have been advised not to venture out into the sea at least until October 25, when wind speed is likely to reach as high as 120 km/h.
As of earlier today, the Chief Minister, Mohan Charan Majhi of Odisha, has summoned an emergency session, stressing that relief should be coordinated. During such an emergency session, it has been ordered that all MLAs are to take charge of evacuation operations in their constituencies and also ensure that all local relief shelters provide basic amenities like food, water, and health care.
Flight and train service operations are affected.
Transport services in both Odisha and West Bengal are suffering from widespread disruption. Flights from Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport had been suspended from Thursday night itself, while train services through all coastal routes had been suspended as cautionary steps. IMD said heavy rains would continue to pound both states until Friday and there could be a possibility of waterlogging at vulnerable areas.
Preparations in Odisha
Odisha is on tenterhooks as far as its disaster management system goes. Thousands of relief camps have been put in place to house evacuees, and food, drinking water, and other medical supplies have been stockpiled for post-storm rehabilitation efforts. Civil services exams have been postponed, and schools remain shut.
West Bengal on High Alert
The state of West Bengal is also not lethargic in its efforts. Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister is keeping a very sharp eye on the situation in the affected districts, where most of the impact is expected and even across other coastal districts like South 24 Parganas and Purba Medinipur. Evacuation drives are in full swing, and the administration has asked the residents to stay indoors during the storm.
As Cyclone Dana draws closer to the coast, both states are getting ready for the event. The strength of the storm and its track over the next 24 hours, according to meteorologists, will be decisive.
Watch this space for live updates on Cyclone Dana as they come in. Stay tuned to ibizznews for more updates.
