In just a few hours, the eastern regions of the country will brace for the arrival of Cyclone 'Dana'. Expected to make landfall on the Odisha-West Bengal coasts, it will churn at wind speeds of 100-110 km/h. According to the IMD, these winds might surge to 120 km/h. In response, PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have reached out to Odisha's CM Mohan Majhi, promising every possible assistance. Meanwhile, Bengal's CM Mamata Banerjee remains vigilant, opting to stay overnight at Nabanna.
Indeed, this is the second cyclone, after 'Asna' in late August, to impact Indian shores in two months. However, Dana exceeds Asna in strength, reaching 400 kilometers from its point of impact and potentially affecting 7 states. Torrential rains are soaking Odisha and West Bengal's affected areas, with state governments relocating lakhs of people to safer grounds.
Landfall Process to Persist for 5 Hours
Cyclone Dana, originating from the Bay of Bengal on October 21, is poised to land near Odisha's Dhamra Port and Bhitarkanika National Park. With a landfall process extending over 5 hours, it swoops through northern Odisha at speeds of 120 km/h. Torrential rains exceeding 30 cm (12 inches) are anticipated in areas like Bhadrak and Kendrapara, with the rest of the coastal regions expecting up to 20 cm.
The regions facing the brunt in Odisha include Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak, Balasore, Kendrapada, Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur, and Cuttack, under a red alert for heavy rainfall. Meanwhile, districts like Puri, Khordha, Nayagarh, Dhenkanal, and Keonjhar are under an orange alert.
The weather department indicates impacts will also be observed across Uttar Pradesh's diverse areas, especially in the eastern parts like Varanasi, Chandauli, Jaunpur, Ballia, Azamgarh, Sonbhadra, Mirzapur, Ghazipur, where there could be lightning with light showers. A drop in temperatures is anticipated, marking the onset of cooler November temperatures. Similarly, several districts in Bihar may feel its effects, with Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu forecasted to experience the most severe impacts, with visible effects in Uttar Pradesh too.
Source: aajtak
Preparations Underway to Combat Cyclone
In Odisha's Puri, precautionary measures have prompted the weather department to advise fishermen to steer clear of the sea. NDRF teams stand ready to face any situation, ensuring the populace's safety away from the water. Railways remain on alert; numerous trains passing through the Odisha-Bengal route stand canceled. Administrative officers in South 24 Parganas also convened on Cyclone Dana's impending threat.
The tumultuous Cyclone 'Dana', springing from the Bay of Bengal, poses a formidable challenge from Odisha to West Bengal. The relentless sea waves signal danger, prompting the Odisha government to muster all resources for storm mitigation.
Source: aajtak
Origin of Cyclone's Name 'Dana'
'Dana' is an Arabic term meaning 'generosity'. This cyclone's name was chosen by Qatar. Since 2000, lists of cyclone names are pre-drafted by groups involving countries like India, Maldives, Myanmar, and Pakistan. Naming cyclones after regional terms or notable figures aids awareness and cultural exchange between affected regions while strengthening communication and warning systems.
Red flags now flutter as warnings on Puri's coastlines. Seaside shops have closed, and hotels stopped booking for four days. Jagannath's temple and Konark's Sun Temple also temporarily shut their doors. About 3,000 tourists have already been sent home as a precaution, accompanied by airport closure. Even before the projected impact, emergency steps had been undertaken along Odisha’s coastline to prevent the looming havoc, with NDRF teams on alert wherever the cyclone is expected.
Schools in Odisha and Bengal to Remain Shut
In Odisha, all schools across 14 districts will remain closed till Friday. As post-impact predictions bring high waves to coastal areas, authorities in the Coast Guard, NDRF, and Navy remain vigilant. Makeshift relief camps have been established in various locations.
Similarly, the coastal zones in West Bengal will witness Dana's impact, leading to the mass evacuation of lakhs of people. CM Mamata Banerjee asserts her commitment by staying at Nabanna overnight. West Bengal is also on high alert, channeling extensive government efforts toward evacuations in affected areas.
Source: aajtak
The cyclone’s mighty force will be felt up to 400 kilometers from the impact site, with winds expected to muster speeds between 90 to 120 kilometers per hour across Odisha’s and West Bengal’s coastal locales, accompanied by intense rainfall. In Howrah, the threat has initialized control room activities. The West Bengal government has directed all schools in nine districts to remain closed.
Mass Evacuations in Bengal
The Bengal administration has deterred fishermen from venturing into the sea. Those already out have been called back, and relentless public announcements ensure vigilance among coastal inhabitants. Before the cyclone's onset, lakhs have been carted off to safer zones.
In West Bengal's East Midnapore, tourist hotspots like Digha, Mandarmani, Tajpur, and Shankarpur instructed hoteliers to evict tourists 12 hours before impact. The schemes to counter Dana have reached full tilt, opening control rooms in various districts. Meanwhile, disaster management teams stand ready, diligently transferring lakhs from vulnerable coastal zones to safety amid secure relief camps.
