As the deep depression over the Bay of Bengal strengthened into Cyclone Dana on Wednesday morning, the government increased its attempts to evacuate inhabitants from vulnerable coastal districts. The Cyclone Dana is projected to make landfall in Odisha within 48 hours, near Bhitarkanika and Dhamra. In light of the imminent threat, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has urged all MLAs to collaborate closely with the administration to aid rescue and relief activities since coastal areas are expected to face the storm’s impact.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the cyclone would turn into a severe storm over the northwest Bay of Bengal by Thursday morning. It is expected to impact the north Odisha and West Bengal shores between Puri and Sagar Island, near Bhitarkanika and Dhamra, on Thursday night and Friday morning. The storm is forecast to produce 100 to 110 km/h winds, with gusts reaching 120 km/h. A storm surge of 1 to 2 meters above the astronomical tide is also expected, providing a significant flooding threat to the low-lying regions of Kendrapara, Bhadrak, and Balasore. As Cyclone Dana approaches, the East Coast Railways (ECoR) has cancelled 178 trains, including 85 UP and 93 Down trains. The cyclone is forecast to make landfall in Odisha during the night of October 24 or early October 25.

Rescue Operations and Government Mobilisation

In preparation for the storm, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indian Coast Guard, Odisha Fire and Emergency Service, and Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) have been placed on high alert. The Indian Air Force flew NDRF members from Punjab and despatched them to the most likely affected districts. The Odisha government has mobilised 19 NDRF teams, 51 ODRAF teams, and 178 firefighting units. Also, 40 teams have been deployed to coastal areas for critical rescue and relief activities.

Warnings have been upgraded at all Odisha ports, with distant warning signal number 2 raised. Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Jajpur, Cuttack, and Dhenkanal are the districts most likely to be affected.

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Large-Scale Evacuation and Shelter Preparation

Over ten lakh people are anticipated to be evacuated before Cyclone Dana makes landfall in Odisha. The Odisha government has identified nearly 3,000 high-risk areas in 14 districts, particularly along the coastal region. Around 800 cyclone shelters have been prepared for evacuees, with another 500 temporary shelters set up in schools and universities to house displaced residents.

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari emphasised the government’s commitment to 100% evacuation from high-risk locations. “Our goal is zero casualties in this impending cyclone,” Chief Minister Majhi stated. With preparations underway, Odisha is doing everything possible to lessen the damage and protect its population from the destructive impact of Cyclone Dana.

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