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Cyclone Dana, a severe cyclonic storm, is poised to make landfall in eastern India, specifically targeting the coastal regions of Odisha and West Bengal. The impending storm has prompted authorities in both states to initiate a massive evacuation effort, aiming to relocate lakhs of residents from vulnerable coastal districts before the anticipated impact.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings about Dana's intensification, with wind speeds projected to reach up to 120 kmph. The cyclone's trajectory suggests it will affect nearly half of Odisha's population, while West Bengal is braced for extremely heavy to very heavy rainfall. The storm is expected to make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra port, both located in Odisha.
In response to the approaching storm, both Odisha and West Bengal have implemented comprehensive measures to mitigate potential damage and ensure the safety of their citizens. Odisha has categorized its districts into four risk zones based on expected wind speeds. Kendrapara, Bhadrak, and Balasore are classified as high-risk zones, while other districts have been categorized according to their anticipated wind exposure.
The transportation infrastructure in both states is being disrupted due to the cyclone's approach. The Kolkata airport has suspended flight operations from 6 pm on Thursday to 9 am on Friday, while the Bhubaneswar airport is also temporarily closed. A total of 203 trains running through Odisha and West Bengal have been canceled. The East Coast Railway has canceled 198 trains, the Eastern Railway has suspended 190 local trains in Bengal's Sealdah division, and the South Eastern Railway has canceled over 150 trains.
The Indian Navy is actively preparing for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations in the affected areas. They have deployed essential resources such as clothing, drinking water, food, medicines, and emergency relief materials to key locations. Flood relief and diving teams are on standby to assist in coordinated rescue efforts if necessary. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has also deployed a significant number of teams across Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh, ready to respond to any emergency situation arising from the cyclone's impact.
Source: Cyclone Dana nears Odisha: 203 trains cancelled, Kolkata airport shut after 6 pm