Cyclone Dana Set to Hit Odisha and West Bengal: Over 1 Million People to Be Evacuated

Cyclone Dana Approaches Odisha and West Bengal: Major Evacuations Underway

As Cyclone Dana approaches the eastern coast of India, both Odisha and West Bengal have ramped up preparations for what could be a severe natural disaster. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the cyclone is likely to make landfall between Puri (Odisha) and Sagar Island (West Bengal) between October 24 and 25, bringing with it wind speeds of up to 120 km per hour.

Governments in both states have taken preemptive measures to mitigate the impact of Cyclone Dana, which formed from a depression over the Bay of Bengal. Massive evacuation plans, disaster management protocols, and relief operations are in full swing as the region braces for the cyclone.

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Odisha: A State on High Alert

Evacuations and Relief Centers

In Odisha, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has directed a massive evacuation campaign targeting over 10 lakh (1 million) people from vulnerable coastal regions. The state's Disaster Management authorities have already identified more than 3,000 high-risk areas across 14 districts, primarily along the coastal belt. Relief centers, including cyclone and flood shelters, have been set up to accommodate evacuees.

Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management, Suresh Pujari, stated that over 5,000 relief centers have been set up. "We are expecting an evacuation of around 10 lakh people before the cyclone makes landfall," Pujari said. In addition, 288 specialized rescue teams have been deployed to the most at-risk areas, with instructions to ensure the safety of residents.

Coordination for Power and Supply Restorations

The Odisha government has been actively working on plans to ensure essential services, such as electricity and water, are restored quickly in the aftermath of Cyclone Dana. The government has already instructed its departments to be vigilant about preventing price hikes on essential goods and has placed a special emphasis on maintaining uninterrupted power supply in hospitals.

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West Bengal: Preparing for the Worst

Precautionary Shutdowns and Evacuations

The government of West Bengal, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has also stepped up precautions ahead of the cyclone. Banerjee emphasized the need to evacuate people living in vulnerable regions and to ensure that shelters are ready to accommodate evacuees. Seven districts, including the coastal regions of South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas, and Purba Medinipur, are expected to bear the brunt of the storm.

The state's administration has also decided to close schools, colleges, and other educational institutions in these districts until October 26 as a preventive measure. "We do not want to take any risks," Banerjee said, noting that many schools and colleges are often used as emergency shelters during such events.

Transport Disruptions

In preparation for Cyclone Dana, more than 150 trains passing through the South Eastern Railway (SER) zone have been canceled. The canceled trains include several express and passenger services, such as the Howrah-Puri Shatabdi Express and Kamakhya-Yesvantpur AC Express, with the potential for further cancellations if the situation worsens. The Kolkata-headquartered SER covers key regions in West Bengal, Odisha, and Jharkhand.

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Indian Coast Guard and Armed Forces Mobilized

Indian Air Force and NDRF Preparedness

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has also stepped into action ahead of Cyclone Dana's landfall. On Wednesday morning, two aircraft—an IL 76 and an AN 32—airlifted 150 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel along with critical relief materials from Bhatinda to Bhubaneswar. These teams are on standby to provide immediate assistance as the cyclone intensifies.

The NDRF teams are expected to coordinate with local authorities in both Odisha and West Bengal to conduct rescue and relief operations. The Indian Coast Guard has also been put on high alert, mobilizing vessels and aircraft to respond swiftly to any emergencies.

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Weather Forecast: What to Expect from Cyclone Dana

According to the IMD, Cyclone Dana is expected to intensify as it moves northwestward across the Bay of Bengal, becoming a severe cyclonic storm by the time it makes landfall. The IMD bulletin stated that as of Wednesday morning, the storm was located about 560 km southeast of Paradip (Odisha) and 630 km south-southeast of Sagar Island (West Bengal). The cyclone is expected to bring wind speeds of 100-110 km/h, with gusts reaching up to 120 km/h.

Heavy rainfall is anticipated across both Odisha and West Bengal, which could lead to widespread flooding in low-lying areas. Fishermen have been advised not to venture out into the sea until after October 25, when conditions are expected to improve.

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Cyclone Dana's Impact on Transportation and Infrastructure

Train Cancellations Across the Region

With Cyclone Dana expected to hit hard, Indian Railways has canceled more than 300 trains, including major long-distance services such as the Howrah-Puri Shatabdi Express, Dibrugarh-Kanniyakumari Express, and the Bengaluru-Guwahati AC Express. Many of these trains were scheduled to depart between October 23 and 25, and more cancellations are expected if the cyclone's severity increases.

Schools and Institutions Shut Down

In addition to transport disruptions, both states have taken precautionary measures to close schools, colleges, and universities in affected regions. Odisha has closed all educational institutions in 14 districts, while West Bengal has done the same in seven districts expected to face the most significant impact from the cyclone.

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Naming of Cyclone Dana

Cyclone Dana was named by Qatar, in line with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) naming conventions. The name Dana, meaning "generosity" in Arabic, was chosen as part of the WMO's practice of giving unique names to cyclones for easy identification and communication. The WMO highlights that naming tropical cyclones helps avoid confusion, especially when multiple storms are active in the same region.

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Conclusion

As Cyclone Dana approaches, the coordinated efforts of the Indian government, armed forces, and state administrations in both Odisha and West Bengal underscore the gravity of the situation. With large-scale evacuations, transport shutdowns, and emergency services on high alert, the region is preparing for the worst, hoping to minimize the storm’s impact.