Cyclone Dana: 200+ Trains Canceled, Flights Suspended; Odisha, Bengal Brace for Landfall

With Cyclone Dana expected to make landfall between Bhitarkanika and Dhamra tonight, Odisha has evacuated around 400,000 people to cyclone shelters. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi instructed district administrations to complete all evacuations by 11 am today.

“The state government is fully prepared to handle the situation. I urge everyone to remain calm. We are closely monitoring with multiple systems in place,” Majhi assured the media after reviewing the cyclone preparedness.

Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari confirmed the identification of over 3,000 vulnerable locations across 14 districts, mostly along the coastal belt. Evacuations are underway, with 1 million people expected to be moved to safety before the cyclone hits. Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, and Balasore are likely to experience the worst impact, with wind speeds reaching 100-120 kmph and heavy rainfall expected. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) also predicted rainfall across coastal and interior districts on Thursday and Friday.

To ensure smooth operations, senior IAS officers are supervising the situation, and nine ministers have been assigned to oversee relief efforts in the most affected districts. The IMD warned of a possible storm surge of about one meter above the astronomical tide, likely inundating low-lying areas in Kendrapara, Bhadrak, and Balasore.

Since Bhitarkanika, the second-largest mangrove ecosystem after the Sundarbans, is near the projected landfall area, wildlife authorities have prepared for potential risks. Sudarshan Gopinath Jadhav, DFO of the mangrove wildlife division, Rajnagar, explained that rising water levels could push crocodiles into human settlements. Rescue teams have been formed to handle any wildlife intrusions, including crocodiles and snakes.

In response to the cyclone, the Odisha High Court announced closures on Thursday and Friday, compensating with working days on November 30 and December 7. The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) has also postponed the civil service exam scheduled for October 27, with a new date to be announced in a week.

The state continues to brace for Cyclone Dana, ensuring that emergency systems, relief efforts, and safety protocols are fully operational ahead of the landfall.