Cyclone Dana Set For Early Friday Landfall, Bengal & Odisha Brace For Impact

As severe Cyclone Dana inches closer to the Indian coastline, both Odisha and West Bengal are on high alert. The cyclone is expected to make landfall between Bhitarkanika and Dhamra in Odisha shortly after midnight on Thursday, October 24, 2024, with wind speeds up to 120 kmph. The landfall process is anticipated to continue until early Friday morning.

Preparedness Across Coastal Regions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to assess the state’s preparedness for the cyclone. Heavy rain and squally winds are already being reported in Odisha’s coastal regions as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) tracks the cyclone’s progress, with the storm lying just 200 km off the coast on Thursday afternoon.

In West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that over 3.5 lakh people have been evacuated from low-lying areas, and essential emergency teams have been deployed. Meanwhile, Home Minister Amit Shah has assured Odisha of central assistance, should the need arise.

Evacuations and Relief Measures

The evacuation efforts in both states have been massive, with over 1.5 lakh people already shifted to safer locations. The Odisha government aims to relocate around 10 lakh people from vulnerable zones before the cyclone strikes.

Relief shelters have been set up across affected regions, and evacuated residents are being provided with dry and cooked food. “We are fully prepared,” said Odisha CM Majhi, urging citizens to stay calm and follow safety protocols.

Cyclone Warnings and Impact

According to the IMD, severe cyclonic storm Dana is expected to bring extreme weather conditions, including wind speeds of 100-120 kmph during landfall. The impact will be most severe in Odisha’s Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Bhadrak, and Balasore districts, with heavy rainfall expected to continue post-landfall.

In West Bengal, districts such as North and South 24 Parganas, Kolkata, Howrah, and Hooghly are expected to see heavy downpours. The cyclone is also likely to bring increased rainfall activity to southern Jharkhand after landfall.

Public Transport Disruptions

Flight operations at Kolkata airport have been suspended from 6 PM Thursday until 9 AM Friday. The Indian Railways has canceled over 170 trains running through the South Eastern Railway zone, which includes West Bengal, Odisha, and Jharkhand. Local ferry services across the Sunderbans region and the Hooghly River have also been halted.

Ports on High Alert

Three major ports in Odisha—Dhamra, Paradip, and Puri—have issued great danger signal number 10, indicating severe weather conditions. Gopalpur port has issued great danger signal number 8. Coastal areas are expected to experience wind speeds of over 100 kmph as the cyclone approaches.

As Cyclone Dana draws closer, both states continue to prepare for the worst, with authorities urging people to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel.