The landfall process for Cyclone Dana has officially started, with more than 600,000 people evacuated from vulnerable areas across Odisha and West Bengal. Authorities are prioritizing safety as the storm approaches the coast, bringing with it the potential for severe weather conditions.
The severe cyclonic storm Dana is making its way towards the coasts of Odisha and West Bengal, prompting extensive evacuations and heightened alertness among local authorities. As of the latest update from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Dana has been moving north-northwest at a speed of 15 km/h and is currently located about 50 km east-northeast of Paradip, Odisha. The storm is expected to make landfall between Bhitarkanika and Dhamra early on October 25, with wind speeds reaching up to 120 km/h.
Evacuations and Preparations Underway
In anticipation of the storm’s impact, over 600,000 people have been evacuated from vulnerable areas across both states. Odisha has reported that around 4 lakh individuals have relocated to safety, while West Bengal has also mobilized significant resources to protect its residents. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has emphasized the importance of following government advisories as the cyclone approaches.
The severe cyclonic storm “DANA” (pronounced as Dana) over northwest Bay of Bengal moved north-northwestwards with a speed of 15 kmph during past 6 hours and lay centred at 2330 hrs IST of yesterday, the 24th October, over the same region, near latitude 20.5° N and longitude… pic.twitter.com/gOPRcEf6NJ
— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) October 24, 2024
Travel Impact Overview:
Railways: East Coast Railway has diverted, cancelled, or short-terminated approximately 203 trains for safety reasons. Many suburban train services from Kolkata will also be affected, with Eastern Railway halting all EMU local trains from Sealdah station in the south and Hasnabad sections from 8 PM on Thursday until 10 AM on Friday. Additionally, 68 suburban trains on the Howrah division are cancelled for the morning of October 25.
Flights: Kolkata Airport has suspended operations for 15 hours, from 6 PM on October 24 until 9 AM on October 25, 2024, due to Cyclone Dana. Similarly, Biju Patnaik International Airport will halt flights for 16 hours starting at 5 PM on October 24.
Also Ferry services in the Sunderbans and across the Hooghly River in Kolkata will be suspended during this period.
Helpline Numbers for Emergency Assistance
Odisha:
- Balasore: 06782-262286 / 261077
- Mayurbhanj: 06792-252759 / 252941
- Bhadrak: 06784-251881
- Jajpur: 06728-222648
- Kendrapara: 06727-232803
- Keonjhar: 06766-255437
- Jagatsinghpur: 06724-220368
- Cuttack: 0671-2507842
- Dhenkanal: 06762-226507 / 221376
- Puri: 06752-223237
- Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Toll-Free Number: 1929
- Emergency Response Support System: 112
West Bengal:
- 24/7 Helpline: 2214 3526
- West Bengal Police: 033 22145486 / 22141988
- West Medinipur District Control Room: 03222 267983
- West Medinipur Special Control Room: 6296060699 / 100
- Kolkata Municipal Corporation: +91 33 2286-1212 / 1313 / 1414
For immediate assistance, please contact the relevant helpline numbers listed above.
Expected Impact
The IMD warns that Cyclone Dana will bring heavy to very heavy rainfall, potentially leading to flooding in low-lying areas. Wind velocities are expected to reach 100-110 km/h, with gusts up to 120 km/h during landfall. Authorities are particularly concerned about tidal surges of up to 2 meters, which could exacerbate flooding risks.
Local governments are on high alert, with disaster management teams deployed across affected districts. In preparation for the storm, public transportation has been disrupted, including the cancellation of numerous trains and flight operations at Bhubaneswar airport. The state’s disaster response teams are coordinating closely with the IMD for real-time updates to ensure public safety.
As Cyclone Dana approaches, residents are urged to stay indoors and adhere to safety protocols issued by local authorities.
