Cyclone Hits Odisha Coast, Brings Intense Winds and Rain
Cyclone Dana, a severe tropical storm, made landfall on the Odisha coast, causing heavy rain and strong winds across multiple districts. The storm made landfall between Bhitarkanika in Kendrapara district and Dhamra in Bhadrak, bringing wind speeds of up to 110 kmph. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the cyclone’s landfall began late Wednesday night and is expected to last until Friday morning. Coastal districts like Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Balasore, and Jagatsinghpur are currently experiencing the brunt of the storm with wind speeds reaching 100-110 kmph, accompanied by torrential downpours.
Cyclone’s Progress and Expected Trajectory
The cyclone, moving northwest at a speed of 15 kmph, intensified as it approached the coast. By the time it made landfall, winds had reached speeds of 110 kmph, with forecasts indicating that wind speeds could peak at 120 kmph as the storm center moved inland. According to Umashankar Das, a senior scientist at the Regional Meteorological Centre, the landfall process is expected to take four to five hours to complete, with the most intense part of the storm hitting the coast during this time. As the cyclone weakens, it is expected to downgrade to a cyclonic storm by noon today.
Evacuation and Preparedness Efforts
In response to Cyclone Dana’s impending landfall, the Odisha government undertook a massive evacuation effort, successfully moving 5.84 lakh people from low-lying coastal areas to safer locations. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi praised the swift actions of emergency teams and confirmed the success of the state’s “Mission Zero Casualty” plan, which aimed to prevent any loss of life due to the storm. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were also briefed on the situation and the country’s preparedness for the cyclone.
Disruption of Services and Ongoing Rescue Efforts
As Cyclone Dana continues to impact coastal regions, various services and operations have been disrupted. Reports of uprooted trees have been received from across the state, particularly in the worst-affected areas. Airports in Bhubaneswar and Kolkata, which were closed as a precautionary measure, resumed operations early Friday morning. Authorities in both Odisha and neighboring West Bengal have evacuated hundreds of thousands of residents, closed schools, canceled over 400 train services, and suspended flight operations to minimize the risk to human life.
Widespread Impact in West Bengal
The neighboring state of West Bengal has also been significantly affected by Cyclone Dana. East Midnapore district in Bengal experienced heavy rains and high winds as the storm made its way inland. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that 2,43,374 people had been moved to temporary shelters. Banerjee herself remained at the state secretariat throughout the night, closely monitoring the situation as it unfolded.
Successful Mitigation Efforts and Aftermath
The coordinated response to Cyclone Dana’s landfall has been hailed as a success, with no casualties reported so far. In Odisha, 385 rescue teams, including personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), and the Fire Service, have been deployed across affected areas. Additionally, 150 platoons of the Odisha Police have been mobilized to assist with rescue operations and road-clearing efforts. As the storm weakens, authorities will continue to monitor its progress and work toward restoring normalcy in the impacted regions.
CM Mohan Majhi Reviews Post Cyclone Situation
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi reviewed the situation following Cyclone Dana’s landfall on Friday morning. Joined by key officials, including the revenue minister and Chief Secretary, he held a video conference with District Collectors from 11 affected districts. After the meeting, Majhi confirmed that the cyclone made landfall between Bhitarkanika and Dhamra, with no casualties reported, crediting the administration’s preparedness for achieving the ‘zero casualty’ target.
(With inputs from agencies)
