Cyclone Dana hits Odisha, Bengal with heavy rain and strong winds

Cyclone Dana, which formed from a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal, is heading toward the Odisha-Bengal coast and is expected to make landfall between Bhitarkanika Park and Dhamra Port on Friday, October 25, according to the IMD. The storm is predicted to bring wind speeds of 100-110 km/h, with gusts reaching up to 120 km/h.

In response, the Meteorological Department issued heavy rainfall alerts for multiple districts in both Odisha and West Bengal. As a result, nearly 10 lakh people from coastal regions are being evacuated to relief camps. The governments of Odisha and West Bengal, along with the Coast Guard, NDRF, and other rescue teams, are on high alert. Schools in coastal districts have been closed, and evacuation efforts are underway to protect those in the path of the storm.

Odisha has ramped up preparations, evacuating people from the most vulnerable areas. The government has identified multipurpose cyclone shelters, flood shelters, and other buildings to house evacuees temporarily. Arrangements have been made to provide food, drinking water, sanitation, and medical care in these shelters, as confirmed by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari.

Meanwhile, the IMD forecasts that 14 districts in Odisha will face the brunt of Cyclone Dana. These include Angul, Puri, Nayagarh, Khordha, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, and Bhadrak, among others. In West Bengal, districts like South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas, and Purba Medinipur are at high risk, along with Paschim Medinipur, Bankura, Jhargram, and Hooghly.

As the cyclone approaches, authorities remain vigilant, coordinating relief and rescue operations to minimize damage and protect lives. The IMD continues to monitor the situation, providing real-time updates and urging people in affected areas to stay safe and follow official instructions.