Bhubaneswar: Cyclone Dana is barreling towards the Odisha coast, currently over the Bay of Bengal and moving at a speed of 15 kmph which has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm on Thursday. The landfall is expected between Thursday midnight and Friday early morning at the West Bengal and Odisha coasts, bringing gusty winds with a speed of 100-120 kmph, the India Meteorological Department said.
The Odisha government has evacuated 30 per cent of the 10 lakh people from the affected areas as the cyclonic storm nears the state’s coastline. On Wednesday, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi reviewed the preparedness and directed the authorities to take further steps to evacuate more people from the danger zones.
The cyclonic storm “DANA” (pronounced as Dana) over Eastcentral & adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal moved north-northwestwards with a speed of 15 kmph during past 6 hours, intensified into a severe cyclonic storm over central & adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal and lay centred… pic.twitter.com/nFgW4BjCMQ
— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) October 23, 2024
Odisha government evacuates people
“Three districts are likely to be severely affected. Steps are being taken to evacuate people from danger zones…So far, 30 per cent of the targeted 10 lakh people have been evacuated…the remaining will be taken to safety by 11 am on Thursday,” the chief minister said.
On Tuesday, the government set a target to evacuate 1,060,336 people from 14 districts in preparation for the cyclone.
“Currently, the focus is primarily on the coastal areas expected to be impacted by the storm,” an official stated. Evacuees are being provided with both dry and cooked food, and all necessary arrangements have been made at the cyclone shelters, he added.
The Chief Minister reassured the public, stating that the state government is fully prepared to manage the situation arising from the cyclonic storm and urged people to stay safe and remain calm.
“The government is fully equipped to handle the situation. You are in safe hands,” said Majhi, addressing the public through the media.
He further mentioned that ministers have been assigned to different districts, along with experienced officers to oversee cyclone management efforts.
Areas to be affected by Cyclone Dana
The chief minister said that the districts of Kendrapada, Bhadrak, Balasore, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, and Puri are expected to face the most severe impact from the cyclone.
“If the cyclone’s trajectory shifts, other districts may also be affected. The government is fully prepared for such a scenario,” he assured. Majhi also visited the emergency control room of the Special Relief Commissioner, where he was briefed on satellite data and the emergency communication system in place.
