Cyclone Dana: In readiness for a strong cyclonic storm, the Odisha and West Bengal governments have begun relocating residents from coastal regions to relief camps. Both administrations have also opted to shut down educational establishments in vulnerable areas. According to the India Meteorological Department, a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal is predicted to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm on Wednesday (October 24) and cross the Odisha-West Bengal coasts early on October 25.
“It (the deep depression) is extremely likely to travel west-northwestward and intensify into a cyclonic storm over the east-central Bay of Bengal throughout the next 12 hours. Moving northwestward, it is highly probable to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over the northwest Bay of Bengal by the morning of October 24 and cross the north Odisha and West Bengal coasts between Puri and Sagar Island from the night of October 24 to the morning of October 25, 2024, as a severe cyclonic storm with wind speeds of 100-110 kmph blowing 120 kmph,” the IMD said in a post on X.
According to IMD DG Mrutunjay Mohapatra, the impending cyclone Dana will have an impact on the entire eastern coast of Odisha, from Puri to Sagar Island, West Bengal.
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The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) stated it was on state of emergency and had mobilised its vessels and aircraft to respond quickly to any contingency caused by the cyclone, which is expected to bring torrential rain to the two adjoining states. In a statement, IGC stated that its specialized personnel and assets are prepared to give help, rescue, and relief in boat states. The ICG used helicopters and remote operating stations in Haldia, West Bengal, and Paradip, Odisha, to broadcast regular weather alerts and safety recommendations to fishermen and mariners.
The IMD urged fishermen not to enter into the water from October 23 to 25, as wind speeds are expected to reach 60 kilometres per hour (kmph) along and off the Odisha-West Bengal coasts and steadily increase thereafter.
Odisha Prepares For Landfall
With half of Odisha’s population expected to be affected by the impending storm that could strike the east coast, the state government plans to relocate over 10 lakh people from 3,000 villages across 14 districts to relief camps, according to an official statement. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has encouraged all MLAs to work with the administration on rescue and relief activities in Odisha, which is expected to bear the brunt of the storm.
Multipurpose Cyclone Shelters, Flood Shelters, and other structures have been identified to protect the vulnerable population. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari added that arrangements have also been made to provide food, drinking water, lights, sanitation, and health facilities to those who will be evacuated to such shelters.
According to the IMD forecast, the Odisha government has put 14 districts on notice, including Angul, Puri, Nayagarh, Khordha, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Balasore, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Ganjam, and Mayurbhanj. To achieve the chief minister’s “zero casualty” target, the state government has developed an action plan for the deployment of the NDRF, ODRAF, and Fire Services.
“Fifth-one ODRAF Groups and 178 fire troops have so far been deployed in the vulnerable districts while 20 NDRF Units have been mobilized (19 deployed, 1 reserve),” according to a government official.
The state has issued Distance Cautionary (DC-I) signals in three major ports: Gopalpur, Paradip, and Dhamara, based on the IMD’s forecast of high-velocity wind and exceptionally heavy rainfall. In preparation for the impending storm, all educational institutions in 14 districts of Odisha, including schools, colleges, and universities, would remain closed from October 23 to 25.
According to Pujari, the authorities has also developed a list of pregnant women who are anticipated to give birth within a fortnight. All of those women are being relocated to a nearby hospital to avoid any complications during the disaster.
“As of today, more than 5,000 assistance centers are in place with contemporary facilities to offer children with water, food, and milk, as well as medicines for those injured.””We anticipate nearly ten lakh evacuations,” the official said.
Meanwhile, East Coast Railways has cancelled up to 198 trains that run through or originate in Odisha.
West Bengal government prepares to face cyclone Dana
Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal, stated that her government is prepared to deal with the storm. “As a precaution, schools in seven districts will be closed from October 23 to 26. We don’t want to take any chances. “Schools and colleges are sometimes used as shelters,” Banerjee remarked in Kolkata.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams have already been dispatched in high-risk locations. She also stated that integrated control rooms at the state and district levels have been constructed to monitor the situation 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Banerjee stated that the administration of coastal districts has been requested to relocate all those who live in low-lying areas. The districts most likely to be affected by the storm are South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas, and Purba Medinipur, as well as coastal areas and adjoining districts such as Paschim Medinipur, Bankura, Jhargram, and Hooghly.
Authorities at Kolkata Airport have also begun preparations to deal with any crisis that may arise as a result of a possible cyclonic storm that could impact coastal portions of West Bengal and Odisha on October 25, according to a senior official on Tuesday.
He stated that routine operational procedures such as inspecting the airport infrastructure and drainage system, as well as checking and maintaining all installations, are being followed.
Furthermore, over 150 fast and train tickets operating in South Eastern Railway territory have been canceled due to the storm. The following trains have been canceled: Howrah-Secunderabad Falaknuma Express, Kamakhya-Yesvantpur AC Express, Howrah-Puri Shatabdi Express, Howrah-Bhubaneswar Shatabdi Express, and Howrah-Yesvantpur Express.
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