A powerful cyclonic storm, Cyclone Dana, is on the cusp of making landfall tonight, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to the coastal regions of Odisha and West Bengal. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued multiple warnings, predicting wind speeds of up to 120 kmph in coastal areas, accompanied by extremely heavy rainfall across several districts in both states. In anticipation of the storm’s impact, both Odisha and West Bengal have embarked on massive evacuation operations, with over 10 lakh (1 million) people in Odisha alone being moved to safety. As of 5:30 am today, the IMD placed Cyclone Dana approximately 290 km south-southeast of Dhamara (Odisha) and 350 km south of Sagar Island (West Bengal). The cyclone is projected to make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra port in Odisha, a region deemed high-risk due to the anticipated severity of the storm.
The state of Odisha has already evacuated over 3 lakh people, representing over 30% of the targeted evacuation, as of Wednesday evening. Evacuation efforts will continue throughout the day, with authorities working tirelessly to ensure the remaining population is safely relocated by 11 am Thursday. High-risk districts in Odisha include Kendrapara, Bhadrak, and Balasore, where wind speeds are expected to reach up to 120 kmph. West Bengal has also initiated significant evacuation efforts, having already moved over 1.14 lakh people to shelters by Wednesday night. The state government has identified nearly 2.83 lakh people across districts such as Bankura, Hooghly, Howrah, North and South 24 Parganas, and Kolkata for evacuation. West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose has urged citizens to stay resilient and adhere to the safety protocols in place during the storm.
Cyclone Dana’s impending landfall has triggered severe disruptions to both air and rail travel across Odisha and West Bengal. Kolkata Airport will suspend all flight operations from 6 pm Thursday until 9 am Friday, while Bhubaneswar Airport will cease operations from 5 pm Thursday until 9 am Friday as well. These precautionary measures have been put in place to prevent any travel-related incidents during the cyclone’s expected landfall. Alongside flight suspensions, the East Coast Railway has cancelled a total of 198 trains between Wednesday and Friday due to the cyclone’s trajectory. The Eastern Railway also announced that 190 local trains in the Sealdah division of Bengal would be suspended from 8 pm Thursday until 10 am Friday, significantly impacting local and interstate travel. The South Eastern Railway followed suit by canceling over 150 trains that were scheduled to pass through or originate from Odisha.
Port operations have also been affected, with Odisha’s Dhamra, Paradip, and Puri ports raising Great Danger Signals 10, halting all activity at the ports until further notice. Gopalpur port has issued Great Danger Signal 8, and its operations have also been suspended. In preparation for the cyclone’s landfall, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed a total of 56 teams across five states—Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh. In Odisha, 20 NDRF teams have been stationed across the state, with one team in reserve, while in West Bengal, 17 teams have been deployed, with 13 on standby. Additional personnel from the Indian Coast Guard, Navy, and Army have been placed on high alert, with rescue boats and equipment mobilized along the coastal areas of both Odisha and West Bengal.
Cyclone Dana’s impact is expected to be felt most severely along the Odisha coast, where Dhamra and Paradip ports are likely to see the storm’s eye pass through. Both ports have ceased operations, and workers have been evacuated. Residents in low-lying areas near the coast have been urged to move to higher ground or designated cyclone shelters. The IMD has also warned fishermen along the Odisha-West Bengal coastline to avoid venturing into the sea until Friday, with waves reaching dangerous heights and wind speeds likely to increase further. As a precautionary measure, ferry services in the Sunderbans region, which stretches across North and South 24 Parganas in West Bengal, have been suspended. Ferry services across the Hooghly River in Kolkata and adjoining areas have also been halted until further notice.
The threat posed by Cyclone Dana extends beyond travel disruptions, with local communities in both Odisha and West Bengal bracing for the storm’s potential impact on infrastructure. Coastal and low-lying regions are at particular risk, with the IMD warning of storm surges, flooding, and widespread damage to roads, power lines, and communication networks. Odisha’s government has issued advisories for those living in high-risk zones to relocate to cyclone shelters or safe areas, with disaster response teams on standby to assist those in need. Kendrapara, Bhadrak, and Balasore have been categorized as high-risk zones, with wind speeds expected to reach between 110-120 kmph. Mayurbhanj district is expected to see wind speeds of 80-90 kmph, gusting up to 100 kmph. Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, and Jajpur have been classified as Category 3 zones, with wind speeds between 60-80 kmph.
In West Bengal, the Met Department has issued warnings for heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in districts like North and South 24 Parganas, Purba and Paschim Medinipur, Jhargram, Howrah, Hooghly, and Kolkata. In preparation for the storm, both state governments have set up control rooms and helplines to assist the public. The central government has extended its full support, with additional personnel and resources deployed to assist with relief and recovery efforts.
Once Cyclone Dana makes landfall, authorities anticipate extensive damage to property and infrastructure, particularly in coastal areas. Both Odisha and West Bengal have extensive experience in disaster management, having faced cyclonic storms in previous years. However, the severity of Cyclone Dana poses a new challenge for these regions as they prepare for the storm’s arrival. Post-landfall recovery efforts will likely focus on restoring essential services such as electricity, water, and communication networks, as well as providing shelter and medical assistance to those affected. Relief packages and compensation for property damage are expected to be rolled out by the state governments in collaboration with central authorities.
Despite the imminent threat, state leaders have called on citizens to remain calm and follow safety protocols. Cyclone Dana serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of coastal regions to natural disasters and the paramount importance of preparedness in the face of such challenges. The lessons learned from this cyclone will likely inform future disaster management strategies across India, ensuring that communities remain resilient and better equipped for the storms that may come. With Cyclone Dana set to make landfall tonight, residents of Odisha and West Bengal must prepare for severe weather conditions, travel disruptions, and potential damage to infrastructure. Authorities are working diligently to evacuate at-risk populations and ensure the safety of those in the cyclone’s path. Both air and rail travel have been significantly impacted, with flights suspended and hundreds of trains canceled. Ports remain closed, and ferry services have been halted. As rescue teams stand by to assist, the focus now turns to ensuring the safety of residents and minimizing the storm’s impact. Cyclone Dana’s effects will be felt long after the storm passes, as both states focus on rebuilding and recovery efforts. The resilience of these communities will be tested, but with strong disaster management protocols in place, the hope is that the impact can be mitigated, and recovery can begin swiftly once the storm has subsided.
