In response to the impending threat of Cyclone Dana, the West Bengal government has announced the closure of state-run schools and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) centres across nine south Bengal districts, including Kolkata, from October 23 to 26. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made the announcement during a press conference on Tuesday, emphasizing the need for precautionary measures.
Banerjee stated that the government has prepared cyclone shelters in coastal areas and stocked relief materials to assist residents affected by the storm. “Principal secretaries from various departments have been assigned to oversee districts such as North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hooghly, Bankura, East Midnapore, West Midnapore, and Jhargram. They will monitor the situation closely, and ministers from these districts will remain on-site until the cyclone passes,” she added.
In addition to school closures, tourism activities in coastal towns have been suspended, and fishermen have been advised to return to shore to ensure their safety. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted that a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal is expected to develop into a severe cyclonic storm by October 23, impacting the coasts of Odisha and West Bengal on October 24.
The IMD warned that wind speeds could reach 60 km/h along the coastline, escalating to 100-110 km/h, with gusts possibly reaching up to 120 km/h from the night of October 24 into the morning of October 25. Heavy rainfall is anticipated throughout the week, raising concerns about flooding and other storm-related hazards in the affected regions.
The government is urging residents to stay vigilant and follow safety protocols as Cyclone Dana approaches.
Sources By Agencies