A severe storm has battered the coastal regions of Odisha and West Bengal which have experienced moderate to heavy rain and gusty winds. As cyclone Dana is inching closer and closer to the coastal regions of the two states, it is most likely to make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port in Odisha early Friday with wind speeds of up to 120 kilometres per hour. Making preparations, the governments of both of states have put their agencies on high alert. While Odisha has evacuated nearly 4 lakh people, West Bengal has rescued more than 2.82 lakh people.
Landfall Close To Bhitarkanika
As Cyclone Dana has moved to West Bengal and made landfall there, the government agencies have evacuated 1,59,837 people and relocated 83,537 to relief camps so far.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that the storm is most likely to move north-northwestwards and cross north Odisha and West Bengal coasts between Puri and Sagar Island. It is likely to make landfall close to Bhitarkanika and Dhamara in Odisha, in the intervening of October 24 and October 25. According to the IMD, cyclone Dana is said to have made landfall when the centre of the storm moved over to the coast.
The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has said that as the strongest winds in the cyclone, Dana is not located precisely at the centre, the cyclone’s strongest winds to be experienced over land even if landfall does not occur.
Mamata Banerjee To Stay Overnight At Nabanna
Talking to journalists, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that she would stay at the state government secretariate called Nabanna overnight to monitor the situation. She also ordered all schools to close on Friday. Attending the press conference, she said, “People’s lives are most important and we will have to protect lives first. Schools will remain closed for tomorrow. I will also stay at Nabanna overnight and monitor the situation.”
She said that the 24/7 helpline is active in Nabanna and at respective districts too. She declared that all officials have been informed to create a mechanism to keep a tab on the situation in their respective districts.
Flights Operations At Kolkata Airport Suspended
Meanwhile, the Kolkata airport authorities have suspended all flight operations at the airport for 15 hours from 6 pm on Thursday. They have taken all necessary steps to ensure the safety of passengers, airplanes, and infrastructure.
The airport authorities have sealed all entry and exit doors of the terminal building after the last flight departs from the Kolkata airport while the aircraft parked on the bays will be tied up.
Evacuation In Odisha
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi declared on Thursday evening that evacuation would be completed in the next few hours.
Meanwhile, heavy rainfall lashed parts of West Bengal and Odisha on Thursday and the state governments have taken preparations to face the crisis posed by cyclone Dana later in the night. At present cyclone Dana is blowing over the east-central Bay of Bengal and it is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm and make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port.
