Cyclone Dana Threatens Odisha, Flights and Trains Canceled Amid Evacuations

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts:

Cyclone Dana Threatens Odisha: Authorities are evacuating over 10 lakh people from Odisha and West Bengal as Cyclone Dana approaches.
Flights and Trains Halted: Kolkata and Bhubaneswar airports have suspended flights, and 198 trains have been canceled due to the cyclone.
Rescue Efforts: NDRF has deployed 56 teams, with 20 in Odisha and 17 in West Bengal, ready for rescue operations.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth:

Cyclone Dana is set to make landfall between Odisha’s Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra port tonight, with wind speeds expected to reach up to 120 kmph. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued severe warnings, predicting that nearly half of Odisha’s population will be impacted. As of Wednesday evening, authorities had evacuated over 3 lakh people in Odisha, with efforts underway to relocate 10 lakh people from vulnerable coastal districts before the cyclone strikes.

Preparations in Odisha and West Bengal:

Odisha’s state government has prioritized evacuations from high-risk areas, particularly in Kendrapara, Bhadrak, and Balasore districts, where wind speeds could reach 100 kmph. Mayurbhanj district faces winds of 80-90 kmph, while Puri, Khurda, Dhenkanal, and Keonjhar are likely to see winds of 60-70 kmph. In West Bengal, over 1.14 lakh people have already been evacuated, with the state aiming to move nearly 2.82 lakh individuals to safety.

Flights and Trains Affected:

Flight operations at Kolkata and Bhubaneswar airports have been suspended due to the approaching storm. Additionally, 198 trains in the East Coast region have been canceled, with rail services severely disrupted. Ferry services in the Sunderbans and across the Hooghly River have also been halted.

Rescue Operations:

The NDRF has deployed 56 teams across Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh. The Indian Coast Guard, Navy, and Army are also on standby for rescue efforts. Fishermen have been warned not to venture into the sea as wind speeds could reach up to 120 kmph at the time of landfall.