IMD has issued alert for Odisha and West Bengal as the Cyclone Dana is set to hit the coast of the state during 24th October midnight to morning 25th October, with a speed of 100-110 kmph gusting 120 kmph.
The weather agency IMD (India Meteorological Department) stated through ‘X’, “The severe cyclonic storm “DANA” (pronounced as Dana) over northwest & adjoining central Bay of Bengal moved north-northwestwards with a speed of 12 kmph during past 6 hours and lay centred at 0830 hrs IST of today, the 24th October, over northwest Bay of Bengal, near latitude 18.9° N and longitude 88.0°E, about 210 km southeast of Paradip (Odisha), 240 km south-southeast of Dhamara (Odisha) and 310 km south of Sagar Island (West Bengal).”
They also added, “It is very likely to move north-northwestwards and cross north Odisha and West Bengal coasts between Puri and Sagar Island close to Bhitarkanika and Dhamara (Odisha) during mid-night of 24th to morning of 25th October, 2024 as a severe Cyclonic Storm with a wind speed of 100-110 kmph gusting 120 kmph.”
IMD Alert for heavy rainfall in several place due to Cyclone Dana
In Odisha heavy to very heavy rainfall will be take place at a few place and extremely heavy rainfall (≥ 21 cm) at isolated places over Baleswar, Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsingpur Kendujhar, Jajpur, Cuttack and Dhenkanal, Khorda and Puri on 24th & 25th October.
In West Bengal heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places with extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places over South & North 24 Parganas, East & West Medinipur, Jhargram, Howrah, Hooghly, Kolkata and Bankura districts on 24th & 25th October.
Heavy rainfall likely to occur over Assam & Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & Tripura, Bihar, Jarkhand, South Interior Karnataka and Tamil Nadu due to Cyclone Dana.
Disaster Management team deployed for help
In preparation for Cyclone Dana’s impact on the Odisha and West Bengal coasts, the Indian Navy has readied Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations. The Eastern Naval Command, in coordination with officers in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal, has activated a disaster response plan. They are working with naval units like the Base Victualling Yard, Material Organisation, and naval hospital INHS Kalyani to provide supplies and medical aid if needed.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced the formation of a seven-member team of Principal Secretaries to oversee nine districts. Additionally, two control rooms have been set up, and the Chief Secretary will monitor the situation around the clock.
Ten NDRF teams, equipped with advanced life-saving tools, have been deployed in Bengal and Odisha to assist with post-cyclone relief and restoration efforts.
At least 200 trains and several flights suspended due to cyclone Dana
Over 170 express and passenger trains passing through South Eastern Railway (SER) have been cancelled between October 23 and 27 due to Cyclone Dana, according to a SER official, with more cancellations possible if the situation worsens. Additionally, Eastern Railway (ER) will suspend all EMU local trains from Sealdah station in its south and Hasnabad sections from 8pm on October 24 to 10am on October 25. The last trains from Hasnabad and Namkhana, located near coastal areas in North and South 24 Parganas, will depart by 7pm on October 24. ER has also cancelled 68 suburban trains in its Howrah division for October 25.
Several fight also been suspended due to cyclonic storm Dana. Flight operation at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata will be suspended for 15 hours, from October 24, 6pm to October 25, 9 pm.
