The Indian Navy has ramped up preparations for Cyclone Dana, which is expected to make landfall in the states of Odisha and West Bengal on Thursday. The Eastern Naval Command has confirmed that two ships, fully equipped with relief materials and rescue teams, are on standby to support Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations as required.
Comprehensive Disaster Response Plan in Place
In a statement, the Navy outlined its comprehensive disaster response mechanism, which is being coordinated with naval officers-in-charge (NOIC) in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal. The Eastern Naval Command is working closely with units such as the Base Victualling Yard (BVY), Material Organisation, and the naval hospital INHS Kalyani to ensure that essential supplies and medical aid are readily available if requested by state authorities.
The Navy has also dispatched vital supplies, including clothing, drinking water, food, medicines, and other emergency relief materials to locations likely to be impacted by the cyclone. Additionally, Flood Relief and Diving Teams are being mobilized to assist in coordinated rescue and relief efforts, if required.
Cyclone Dana Progress and Evacuations Underway
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Dana is currently moving northwest at a speed of 12 kilometers per hour. As of the latest reports, the cyclone was located approximately 240 kilometers south of Odisha and 310 kilometers south of West Bengal.
Evacuations have already begun in vulnerable areas such as Dhamara and Bhadrak in Odisha, where residents are being moved to cyclone shelters. Odisha Chief Minister Charan Majhi emphasized the seriousness of the situation and assured that all necessary preparations have been made in the affected districts, including Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore, Jagatsinghpur, and Puri.
In anticipation of Cyclone Dana’s landfall, flight operations at Kolkata’s Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport will be suspended for 15 hours, starting from 6:00 PM on Thursday. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams in both Odisha and West Bengal have also been placed on high alert, ready to intervene if needed.
West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose expressed solidarity with the people of the region, stating, “Bengal will stand together. India will stand together. We shall overcome.”