Locations Affected: India
Odisha, West Bengal, and Jharkhand have increased preparations as Cyclone Dana moves towards coastal Odisha, likely to cause major disruptions. As of 0230 hours on 24 October, the cyclone was located 280 km southeast of Paradip, Odisha, and 370 km south-southeast of Sagar Island, West Bengal. Several districts in West Bengal and the coastal belt of Odisha experienced moderate to heavy rainfall on 24 October.
Source: https://www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/tropical-cyclone/severe-weather-bulletin
Impact of the Cyclone
- Around 300,000 people in Odisha and more than 114,000 people from West Bengal have been evacuated to safe shelters. The Odisha government has planned to evacuate 1,060,336 individuals across 14 districts of the state.
- Port operations at Dhamra port have been halted, and employees evacuated. Three ports in Odisha have issued Great Danger Signal Number 10, indicating a severe cyclone with very high wind speeds and rough seas, warning vessels and ports of imminent extreme weather conditions. Multiple trains have been cancelled in West Bengal and Odisha.
- Fishing activities have been banned in Bhadrak until 26 October. Fishermen in the coastal regions of West Bengal have been advised to avoid venturing into the sea due to winds of around 100 kph in the northwest Bay of Bengal.
- Flight operations will be suspended at Bhubaneswar Airport for 17 hours, starting at 0900 hours on 24 October until 25 October, leading to the cancellation and delay of around 45 flights. Additionally, Kolkata Airport has suspended flight operations for 15 hours starting at 1800 hours on 24 October.
- The Odisha Fire Services have assembled 182 teams for response operations, along with the State Disaster Response Force, the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), the Forest Department. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Army, Navy, and Coast Guard are on high alert in Odisha and West Bengal.
Weather Forecast and Potential Disruptions
The cyclone is forecast to make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port in Odisha on 25 October, with wind speeds expected to reach up to 120 kph. Odisha is likely to face a multi-hazard situation, as torrential rain and tidal surges of up to two meters are expected. The cyclone is anticipated to cause heavy rainfall in several southern districts of West Bengal, including Kolkata. Parts of Jharkhand could also experience heavy rainfall on 24 October, and an orange alert has been issued for the Kolhan region for 25 October. (An orange alert indicates a warning for severe weather conditions that could significantly impact a region, urging residents to remain prepared for potential disruptions and take necessary precautions.)
The cyclone is expected to disrupt road and railway services across coastal areas due to waterlogging and debris. Flight disruptions may persist depending on weather conditions. Flooding is possible as a result of the cyclone, especially in low-lying areas. Damage to utility lines could lead to disruptions in power and communication services. Landslides and infrastructure damage are also likely. Organizations are advised to stay updated on the situation and prepare necessary contingency plans. Weather updates can be found on the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) official website: https://mausam.imd.gov.in/.
