Cyclone Dana Live Updates: Bengal evacuates over 1.14 lakh people as Cyclone Dana approaches coast

Cyclone 'Dana,' with wind speeds of up to 120 km/h, is expected to make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port in Odisha by early Friday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued great danger signal number 10 at the ports of Dhamra, Paradip, and Puri, indicating severe weather conditions. Port operations have been suspended at Paradip and Dhamra, and evacuations are underway in Dhamra, which is likely to be worst hit as the eye of the storm is predicted to pass through the town. The cyclone is expected to intensify over the northwest Bay of Bengal and cross the Odisha and West Bengal coasts between October 24 and 25.

Earlier, Kolkata airport also announced that it will suspend flight operations for 15 hours from October 24 6pm to October 25 9am in view of cyclone Dana which may hit West Bengal and Odisha coast by Thursday night, as per IMD's forecast.

As Cyclone Dana approaches, the West Bengal government has evacuated over 1.14 lakh people from vulnerable areas, including the Sundarbans and Sagar Island, to safer shelters. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts the cyclone will make landfall between Odisha's Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port on Friday. In response, 13 state disaster management battalions and 14 NDRF battalions have been deployed. A total of 2.82 lakh people from coastal and low-lying districts are identified for evacuation, with priority given to areas like South 24 Parganas, including Kakdwip and Namkhana. Preparations include distributing dry rations and water. Control rooms and 24/7 monitoring are in place, while schools in nine districts remain closed as a precaution.

Odisha's Chief Minister, Mohan Charan Majhi, presided over a meeting in the state capital, Bhubaneswar to assess the state's readiness for the impending 'Cyclone Dana'. The Revenue and Disaster Management Minister, Suresh Pujari, was also present during the meeting.

In a related development, Mukesh Mahaling, the Health Minister of Odisha that the Health Department is on high alert as Cyclone Dana is expected to hit the coasts of West Bengal and Odisha on October 24-25. He emphasized that all Chief District Medical Officers (CDMOs) have been given necessary directions and instructions, and their leave has been cancelled to ensure their availability during the crisis.

"The Health Department is on alert. Directions have been given to all CDMOs, and their leave has been cancelled. Measures have also been put in place to address issues related to snake venom. The Chief Minister is personally overseeing the situation," he said.

Minister Mahaling further mentioned that the CM is directly involved in monitoring the situation, ensuring that all necessary precautions and measures are in place to handle any potential challenges arising from the cyclone, including the availability of antivenom for snake bites, which can be a common occurrence during such natural disasters.

Popular sea beaches in Odisha appeared deserted on Wednesday as the state prepared for Cyclone Dana, expected to make landfall early on October 25. The cyclone will bring heavy rains, strong winds, and tidal surges. Authorities have restricted beach access in Puri, Gopalpur, Paradip, and Chandipur, deploying police to maintain safety. Beaches in Ganjam, including Gopalpur and Sunapur, have been closed, and prohibitory orders were issued for Paradip and Siali.

The cyclone is expected to hit between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port. Security has been tightened, and fishermen are being prevented from entering the sea. Coastal residents are being monitored and prepared for evacuation. Local authorities, including the Transport and Commerce Minister, are overseeing preparations for rescue and rehabilitation.

The Eastern Railway has decided to cancel 190 local trains in its Sealdah division as a precautionary measure due to the impending cyclonic storm 'Dana'. The trains will remain suspended from 8 pm on Thursday until 10 am on Friday to prioritize the safety of passengers. The affected trains operate in the Sealdah South and Hasnabad sections.

According to the Met office, the cyclonic storm is expected to make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra port in Odisha early Friday, with wind speeds reaching up to 120 kmph. The storm is likely to bring heavy rainfall in several south Bengal districts on October 24 and 25.

An Eastern Railway official stated, "The measure is being taken to ensure that no train is on the tracks in the affected areas during the time when the cyclone is apprehended to make landfall." The decision to cancel the trains aims to minimize the risk of any untoward incidents and protect the well-being of passengers during the cyclone's impact.

In view of Cyclone DANA's impact on the coastal region of West Bengal, including Kolkata, it has been decided to suspend flight operations from 1800 IST on 24.10.2024 to 0900 IST on 25.10.2024 due to predicted heavy winds and heavy to very heavy rainfall at Kolkata, said the Kolkata airport in a statement.

Odisha Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling said that the Health Department is on high alert in the wake of Cyclone Dana which is forecast to make landfall on October 24-25 along the coasts of West Bengal and Odisha.

He said that CM Mohan Charan Majhi is also monitoring the situation. "The Health Department is on alert. Directions have been given to all CDMOs and their leaves have been cancelled. Measures have been made against the problems related of snake venom...The Chief Minister is also personally monitoring the situation," he said.

Puri DM Siddharth Shankar Swain said, "All instructions have been given by the state government to deal with the Dana cyclone. A meeting of the District Disaster Department was also held in this regard, which included all departments. All departments have been instructed on what kind of arrangements to make. Departmental officers are also being deployed in vulnerable areas... 17 fire brigade teams will be present at different places in the district, NDRF, ODRAF teams are also present. 179 shelters and 370 additional shelters have been kept ready. State government advisory has also been issued for tourists..."

On cyclone 'Dana', Bhubaneswar, Director IMD, Manorama Mohanty says, "...Now it is around 460 km southeast of Paradip and 490 km south-southeast of Dhamra and 540 km south-southeast of Sagar Island. It is very likely to move northwestward and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over northwest Bay of Bengal by early morning 24th October and cross North Odisha and West Bengal coast between Puri and Sagar Island close to Bhitarkanika and Dhamra during the night time of 24th October to the morning of 25th October as a severe cyclonic storm and while crossing the coast, the wind speed will be around 100 to 110 km per hour, gusting to 120 km per hour..."

Cyclone 'Dana' is set to make landfall on the Odisha coast between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra port early on October 25, with wind speeds reaching 120 kmph. The Odisha government is executing a large-scale evacuation plan, aiming to relocate over 10 lakh people from 14 districts at risk of heavy rainfall, tidal surges, and high winds. Rescue teams have been deployed, and 6,000 relief camps have been established to provide shelter, food, and medical care. The IMD has warned of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, especially in coastal and low-lying areas.

The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) has announced the postponement of the Odisha civil service examination's preliminary test, which was originally scheduled for October 27, 2023. The decision was made in light of the approaching cyclone Dana, expected to make landfall on the Odisha coast by October 25. The OPSC has stated that a new date for the examination will be announced after a period of seven days, and has advised candidates to check the official website for updates.

In related news, the Nandankanan Zoo and State Botanical Garden in Odisha will be closed to visitors on October 24 and 25 as a precautionary measure due to the impending cyclone. This follows the earlier closure of Similipal Tiger Reserve and Bhitarkanika National Park for tourists from October 23 to 25.

Gokulananda Mallik, the state's Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister, has made an appeal to the public, urging them to provide shelter to stray animals, such as dogs and oxen, during the cyclone. "If any stray animal is found injured, one can call helpline number 1962 for assistance," he said.

Cyclone Dana is set to make landfall in Odisha between the night of October 24 and early October 25, with predicted wind speeds of 100-110 kmph, gusting to 120 kmph. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal, especially in districts like Baleswar, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, and Puri from October 24 to 26. Odisha’s government, along with various district authorities, has made comprehensive preparations. Fisherfolk have been warned not to venture into Chilika Lake, and drains have been cleared to prevent waterlogging. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and military rescue units are on standby to tackle the potential cyclone impact.

Cyclonic storm 'Dana', which formed over the east-central Bay of Bengal on Wednesday, is expected to bring heavy rainfall to several districts in south Bengal, including Kolkata, according to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). In light of the impending cyclone, Eastern and South Eastern railways have cancelled over 150 trains for October 24 and 25.

The storm is anticipated to strengthen into a severe cyclonic storm as it approaches the northwest Bay of Bengal, with landfall expected between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra port in Odisha early Friday. Wind speeds could reach up to 120 kilometers per hour (km/h), the IMD reported.

Speaking on NDRF deployment ahead of the landfall of cyclone 'Dana', NDRF DIG Mohsen Shahedi says, " 20 teams deployed in Odisha, 13 in West Bengal with 4 teams kept in reserve, preparations made in Andhra Pradesh's Vizag and 9 teams in Jharkhand. We are expecting that maximum evacuation will be done today before landfall of cyclone tomorrow."

The Odisha government has deputed six senior IAS officers – K Sudarshan Chakravarthy, Trilochan Majhi, Balwant Singh, Vineet Bhardwaj, Yamini Sarangi and Samarth Verma - to supervise cyclone management in the districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Puri, Mayurbhanj, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapada districts respectively.

“We have listed 236 pregnant women whose expected delivery dates are within a week. They will be shifted to the nearest hospitals by Wednesday,” said Santosh Kumar Padhy, chief district medical officer (CDMO).

High-risk patients would be shifted to City Hospital or the nearest sub-divisional hospitals, he said

"Don't panic upon hearing about the cyclone. We have successfully faced several cyclones together in the past. Our effective disaster management policy will help us mitigate its impact. Please remain alert, prioritize your safety, and cooperate fully with the administration. I urge all elected representatives to stand with the people during this challenging time and provide assistance. I firmly believe that together, we will successfully overcome this cyclone, just as we have in the past," says former Odisha CM and BJD chief Naveen Patnaik

The Odisha government announced on Tuesday the closure of two ecological hotspots: Similipal Tiger Reserve in Mayurbhanj district and Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapara district, due to an impending severe cyclonic storm. Both districts have been designated as "Red Zones," as the IMD forecasts the storm will cross the east coast between the night of October 24 and the morning of October 25. Officials indicated that these districts could face significant impact from the storm.

Tourists have been asked to leave Digha and other coastal towns by Wednesday noon. All ICDS centres in the nine districts have also been asked to shut down to ensure safety of pregnant women and young mothers. District administrations have been asked to evacuate vulnerable people to cyclone shelters.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) announced on Wednesday that Cyclone 'Dana' is expected to make landfall early Friday between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra port in Odisha.

Umashankar Das, a senior scientist at the Bhubaneswar meteorological center, indicated that a tidal surge of up to 2 meters is anticipated, with wind speeds reaching 120 km/h. He warned that low-lying areas in Kendrapara, Bhadrak, and Balasore districts may be inundated and recommended the evacuation of residents from these regions.

Odisha govt has cancelled leaves of all employees, including doctors. As many as 8,000 pregnant women have been shifted to hospitals.

Vegetable prices, including potatoes and onions, have surged in Odisha markets as consumers engage in panic buying ahead of the cyclone predicted to hit the coast. Traders reported that at Chhatra Bazaar in Cuttack, the price of potatoes rose from Rs 30 to Rs 50 per kg, while onions increased from Rs 40 to Rs 60 per kg. In Bhubaneswar, tomatoes are selling for Rs 80 to 100 per kg.

Additionally, prices for other vegetables such as beans, brinjal, ladyfinger, and cauliflower have risen by Rs 10 to 20 per kilogram. There has been a significant rush in vegetable markets as consumers seek to stock up on essentials, particularly potatoes and onions, in preparation for the cyclone expected to arrive by October 25.

"Our government is ready to face this cyclonic storm. We have already started integrated control rooms at state and district levels and they are working 24X7. As a precautionary measure, fishermen have been asked not to venture into the seas. Public address systems are in place in the coastal areas. The district magistrates (DMs) and superintendents of police (SPs) have been asked to keep their eyes open till the situation normalises," Mamta Banerjee said.

"This was the last review meeting to take stock of the situation and assess the preparedness at the grassroots level. As of now, more than 5000 relief centers have already been set up with all modern facilities to provide drinking water, food, milk to children, and medicine to the ailing people. We are expecting around 10 lakh evacuation," said Odisha revenue and disaster management minister Suresh Pujari.

"To ensure the safety of students the schools will be shut for October 23-25 given the impending cyclonic storm. Orders have been given to the district administration to ensure that the schools remain shut during this duration. Schools will remain closed in the areas which could be affected by the cyclone. The state government will take every step to ensure the safety of the public," says Odisha education minister Nityananda Gond.

Over 150 express and passenger trains operating under the South Eastern Railway jurisdiction have been canceled due to the anticipated formation of a severe cyclonic storm expected to hit the Odisha-West Bengal coasts on October 25, according to an SER official. Canceled trains include the Howrah-Secunderabad Falaknuma Express, Kamakhya-Yesvantpur AC Express, Howrah-Puri Shatabdi Express, Howrah-Bhubaneswar Shatabdi Express, and Howrah-Yesvantpur Express.

Cyclone Dana is likely to make landfall between Puri (Odisha) and Sagar Island (West Bengal) in the early hours of October 25. The IMD warned of possible high winds and severe weather conditions during this time

The deep depression over the Bay of Bengal intensified into a cyclonic storm named 'Dana' on Wednesday morning, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). It is expected to strengthen into a severe cyclone before making landfall between Puri in Odisha and Sagar Island in West Bengal, with wind speeds reaching 120 km/h on October 25.

In a bulletin, the IMD noted, "Yesterday's deep depression over the east-central Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestward at a speed of 18 km/h over the past six hours and intensified into cyclonic storm 'Dana'."

Odisha plans to evacuate up to 1 million people if necessary, as the severe cyclonic storm Dana is expected to make landfall in Kendrapada district with wind speeds of 100-120 km/h between Thursday night and Friday morning.

The government has identified 3,000 vulnerable areas for evacuation.

The special relief commissioner has instructed collectors in 14 districts to begin the evacuation process on Wednesday.

Additionally, 6,000 shelters have been prepared with basic amenities to accommodate evacuees.

Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) has initiated an emergency inspection of various operational facilities to protect stationary aircraft and air traffic control towers from potential damage during the impending cyclone. Meanwhile, East Coast Railway (ECoR) has canceled nearly 200 trains to address the possible impact.

The authorities at the city airport will decide on Wednesday whether to close operations starting Thursday evening, depending on forecasts for strong winds and heavy rain as Cyclone Dana approaches the Odisha-Bengal coast between Thursday night and Friday morning.

IMD issues red alert of extremely heavy rain (up to 30cm) in the districts of Mayurbhanj, Cuttack, Jajpur, Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapada and Jagatsinghpur for Thursday