Odisha: IAF Airlifts NDRF Team and Relief Supplies Ahead of Cyclone Dana’s Landfall

As preparations intensify for the impending landfall of Cyclone Dana on the coasts of Odisha and West Bengal, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has deployed two aircraft to transport 150 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel and relief supplies to Bhubaneswar. According to an IAF official, an IL-76 and an AN-32, coming from Bhatinda, landed in Bhubaneswar early Wednesday morning.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted that Cyclone Dana is likely to make landfall between Bhitarkanika in Kendrapara and the districts of Bhadrak or Balasore along the Odisha coast. The Odisha government anticipates significant impact in Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapada, Mayurbhanj, Jagatsinghpur, and Puri.

As of 5:30 AM on Wednesday, the IMD reported that a deep depression over the East Central Bay of Bengal was moving west-northwest at 18 km per hour, located 560 km southeast of Paradip, 630 km south-southeast of Sagar Island, and 630 km south-southeast of Khepupara (Bangladesh). This depression is expected to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over the northwestern Bay of Bengal by the morning of October 24 and is forecasted to cross north of Odisha and West Bengal coasts between Puri and Sagar Island, with wind speeds reaching 100 to 110 km per hour, gusting up to 120 km per hour.

In light of the impending storm, Odisha’s Education Minister Nityananda Gond announced that schools in affected areas will remain closed from October 23 to 25 to ensure student safety. He stated, “Orders have been issued to the district administration to keep schools closed during this period.”

Additionally, an official order specified that colleges and universities in 14 districts, including Ganjam, Puri, and Balasore, will also close for three days. The IMD has predicted extremely heavy rainfall in Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal from October 23 to 26.

NDRF teams are on standby in both Odisha and West Bengal, with additional rescue and relief personnel from the Army, Navy, and Coast Guard, along with ships and aircraft, prepared for deployment as needed.