The east coast of India is bracing for the impact of Cyclone Dana, as authorities in Odisha and West Bengal have initiated large-scale evacuation efforts to safeguard vulnerable populations. Schools in multiple districts of both states have been ordered closed until at least Friday, October 25, while nearly 150 train services have been canceled due to the impending harsh weather conditions. The Indian Coast Guard, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and other emergency response units are fully mobilized, prepared to respond swiftly to any situation that arises. The goal is to ensure ‘zero casualties’ during this natural event.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has reported that a depression in the Bay of Bengal intensified into a deep depression on Tuesday evening, and is expected to transform into a severe cyclonic storm. This storm is predicted to make landfall on the Odisha-West Bengal coast in the early hours of October 25, bringing with it wind speeds of 100-110 kmph, with gusts potentially reaching 120 kmph.
In West Bengal, the state government has declared a holiday for schools and academic institutions in several districts until October 26. The affected districts include South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas, Purba Medinipur, Paschim Medinipur, Jhargram, Bankura, Hooghly, Howrah, and Kolkata. The West Bengal Fire and Emergency Services Minister, Sujit Bose, has confirmed the deployment of emergency response teams across the state. He specifically mentioned the positioning of 11 teams in South Kolkata, eight in North Kolkata, 12 in South 24 Parganas, 24 in North 24 Parganas, six in Howrah, four in West Medinipur, and five in East Medinipur.
The Odisha government has taken similar measures, announcing school and college holidays until October 25 in 14 districts, including Angul, Puri, Nayagarh, Khordha, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Balasore, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Ganjam, and Mayurbhanj. The state government has also announced a planned evacuation of over 1 million people from 3,000 villages across these 14 districts, transporting them to designated relief camps in anticipation of the cyclone’s impact.
The East Coast Railway (ECoR) has taken proactive steps, canceling 197 train services starting from October 23. They have activated a 24/7 Disaster Management Cell at their headquarters, along with similar cells at divisional headquarters in Khurda Road, Visakhapatnam, and Sambalpur. These teams are dedicated to swiftly restoring train services and any damaged railway infrastructure following the cyclone.
The Indian Coast Guard is on high alert, mobilizing its vessels and aircraft to ensure a swift response to any emergencies that may arise due to the cyclone. They are prepared to provide support and assistance to affected areas and communities in the two states.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi has instructed ministers to oversee cyclone management in the affected districts. He has also urged all MLAs to be present in their constituencies, coordinating with the district administration to expedite relief and rescue operations and provide support to the local population.
