In anticipation of the imminent landfall of Cyclone Dana, both the Odisha and West Bengal governments are ramping up preparations to evacuate nearly two million people from the vulnerable coastal areas. Cyclone Dana is expected to make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha and Sagar Island in West Bengal late Thursday night or early Friday morning, with wind speeds reaching up to 120 km/h, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Precautionary Measures and Evacuations
As part of the precautionary measures, the governments of both states have ordered the closure of all educational institutions and offices for three days, beginning Wednesday. Evacuations are underway across nearly 3,000 villages in 14 districts of Odisha and nine districts in West Bengal. Odisha’s special relief commissioner, DK Singh, stated that the cyclone is expected to intensify into a severe storm by Thursday morning, leading to heavy rainfall and strong winds in the affected regions.
Local officials have advised residents to remain indoors from Thursday afternoon, as wind speeds are predicted to reach up to 100 km/h. Tourists in coastal areas have also been urged to leave beach resorts and move to safer locations.
Preparedness and Resources
Odisha, known for its well-rehearsed cyclone management protocol, has designated 5,500 government buildings as shelters. More than 10,000 personnel, including 19 teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), 51 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams, and 178 Fire Services teams, have been deployed to manage the rescue and relief operations. The Odisha government has also established a central control room and district-level control rooms to oversee the response efforts.
In West Bengal, the government is closely monitoring the situation. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea between October 23 and 25 due to expected wind speeds reaching 120 km/h during this period. Meanwhile, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has mobilized its vessels and aircraft to respond swiftly to any emergencies arising from the cyclone’s impact.
Impact on Wildlife and Infrastructure
Bhitarkanika National Park, home to a significant population of saltwater crocodiles, is located near the projected landfall site. The Odisha Wildlife Department has formed teams to manage potential road blockages and rescue operations if crocodiles stray into human settlements. The park’s vast mangrove forest, covering 200 square kilometers, is expected to play a key role in mitigating the cyclone’s impact by acting as a natural barrier against storm surges and high winds.
Rail and air travel have also been disrupted, with 222 trains canceled from October 23 to 25, as the risk of tracks being submerged due to heavy rain looms large. The international airport in Kolkata is also considering suspending air traffic from Thursday onwards, depending on the evolving situation.
Government Response and Public Safety
Odisha’s former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who was instrumental in strengthening the state’s cyclone management system, has called on citizens to remain calm and cooperate with the authorities during the evacuation process. Patnaik reminded the public of Odisha’s resilience in the face of past cyclones and emphasized the importance of taking all necessary precautions to stay safe.
The IMD has warned of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in several districts of West Bengal and Odisha over the next few days, further complicating relief efforts. With local authorities on high alert, the priority remains ensuring the safety of millions of people in the storm’s path.
Conclusion
As Cyclone Dana barrels toward the east coast of India, both Odisha and West Bengal are racing against time to evacuate residents and prepare for the storm’s impact. The combined efforts of disaster response teams, government officials, and local authorities aim to mitigate the potential devastation and protect lives as the region braces for another severe cyclone.
Sources By Agencies