In brief
As Cyclone Dana approaches landfall within the next 24 hours, India is evacuating approximately 1.5 million residents from vulnerable areas in Odisha and West Bengal. Contingency plans are enacted, with transportation disruptions and emergency services heightened to mitigate potential impacts.
As Cyclone Dana looms over the eastern states of India, officials are taking significant action to protect residents from the impending storms. Nearly 1.5 million people are currently being evacuated from Odisha and West Bengal, as the cyclone is expected to make landfall within the next 24 hours.The situation has escalated quickly, prompting the deployment of thousands of relief workers ready to respond and minimize damage from the severe weather. Transport systems are already feeling the effects, with numerous flights and trains being cancelled in preparation for the cyclone’s impact.According to India's meteorological authorities, a depression brewing over the Bay of Bengal is projected to evolve into a severe cyclonic storm by Thursday evening. Wind speeds are anticipated to reach between 100-120 km/h (62-74 mph) as it approaches the coastline.Odisha's Chief Minister, Mohan Charan Majhi, has assured the public that thorough preparations have been made for those in districts that lie in the storm's projected path. Temporary relief camps equipped with essential supplies, including food, water, and medical assistance, have been established to accommodate evacuees.In addition to the evacuations in Odisha, the West Bengal government is relocating over 300,000 people from its coastal areas. Officials from both states, alongside rescue teams, remain on high alert as schools in these regions have been closed in anticipation of severe weather.Meteorological experts in Kolkata have provided ongoing updates about Cyclone Dana's position, as flight operations at Bhubaneswar and Kolkata airports have been suspended. Over 200 trains have also been cancelled in light of the looming storm.Fishermen have been cautioned against venturing into the ocean, while contingency protocols have been developed for Paradip port in Odisha to safeguard both staff and local residents.Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected to engulf the coastal regions over the next 24 hours. Historically, Odisha and West Bengal have faced the brunt of severe storms and cyclones, with past disasters claiming significant lives, including a cyclone in 1999 that led to over 10,000 fatalities in Odisha and a tragic loss of at least 16 lives during a cyclone in 2022 impacting both India and Bangladesh.
