Cyclone Dana

The deep depression over the east-central Bay of Bengal on Wednesday morning intensified into a cyclonic storm ‘Dana’ and is likely to hit Odisha and West Bengal coasts a day later.

“Yesterday’s deep depression over the east-central Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestwards with a speed of 18 kmph during the past six hours and intensified into a cyclonic storm Dana, and is expected to hit the Odisha coast between Bhitarkanika of Kendrapara district and Dhamara area of Bhadrak” said the India Meteorological Department.

The cyclonic storm is expected to further intensify into a severe cyclonic storm and hit north Odisha and West Bengal coast between Puri district and Sagar Island from Thursday night to Friday morning as a severe Cyclonic Storm moves in with a wind speed of 100-110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph.

West Bengal braces for impact

The system lay cantered at 690 km from Paradip (Odisha); 740 km from Sagar Island (West Bengal) and 710 km from Khepupara (Bangladesh).

The West Bengal government on Tuesday ordered the closure of schools and colleges in nine districts in the state from Wednesday to Friday in view of the impending threat from the cyclone.

During the period, ferry movements will also be suspended in different districts in the state, especially those which are likely to be most affected by the cyclonic storm.

“The fishermen have been advised to refrain from going to the deep sea. The district administrations have been advised to shift the people staying in low-lying areas to safer places,” West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said.

She also said that the state government is fully prepared to tackle any kind of situation.

Odisha amps up preparedness

IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said that coastal areas of Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore districts are likely to witness high tidal waves surging up to 1 to 2 meters in height due to the effect of the cyclone Dana.

The Odisha government has taken several precautionary measures, including evacuation of the residents living in around 3,000 identified vulnerable places in affected districts, deployment of Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Fire Services personnel in these districts.

As many as 288 rescue teams, including 51 ODRAF, 19 NDRF and 178 Fire Services teams have been deployed in 13 districts for rescue and relief purposes after the cyclone Dana hits the land.

Around 6,000 cyclone shelters and relief centres to accommodate people evacuated from vulnerable places in the affected districts have been created by the state government. Special arrangements have been made for women at these centres.

The district administrations have also made arrangements for sufficient stock of food items, essential medicines, water and electricity arrangements at the relief centres and cyclone shelters.

The state government has targeted to evacuate around 10 lakh people to safer places.

Notably, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had earlier claimed that the state government aims to ensure Zero casualties in the cyclone.

Railway operations majorly impacted

The East Coast Railway (ECoR) has activated a round-the-clock Disaster Management Cell at its headquarters at Rail Sadan in Bhubaneshwar, as well as at Divisional headquarters in Khurda Road, Visakhapatnam, and Sambalpur for the early restoration of train services and railway infrastructure affected in the severe cyclonic storm ‘Dana’ which is expected to hit the Odisha coast on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the ECoR also announced the cancellation of 198 trains for three days on October 23, 24 and 25 in view of the cyclonic storm.

The General Manager of ECoR, Parmeshwar Funkwal on Tuesday chaired a preparatory meeting and advised all the senior railway officials to take necessary steps to ensure ‘Zero Risk to Passengers’.

“ECoR has prioritised passenger safety by positioning specialised teams for the swift restoration of tracks, signalling systems, and electrification processes. In the event of power outages, diesel locomotives will be on standby to ensure continued train operations. Emergency Control Rooms are operational around the clock, equipped with satellite phones to maintain communication during the crisis,” informed ECoR sources.

The ECoR will keep a close watch to save railway bridges, tracks, yards, OHE & Signalling System due to heavy rain. The railways will also ensure clearance of silt, vegetation and other obstructions from catch water and side drains, patrolling at vulnerable locations by deputing Patrolmen & Watchmen.

(Compiled from syndicated feed)