Cyclone 'Dana,' originating from the Bay of Bengal, has begun its landfall along the coast of Odisha. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the cyclone has been moving in a north-northwest direction at a speed of 15 km per hour over the last six hours.
Wind speeds predicted to increase to 120 kmph
The storm reached the coast with wind speeds of about 110 km per hour, striking between Bhitarkanika in Kendrapara district and Dhamra in Bhadrak district. The landfall process is expected to last for about five hours, with wind speeds predicted to increase to 120 km per hour as the storm moves further inland. In addition to Odisha, neighboring West Bengal is also expected to experience the effects of the cyclone.
Kolkata Airport closed
As a precaution, the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata has been closed from 6 p.m. on Thursday to 9 a.m. on Friday. The West Bengal government has also undertaken large-scale evacuations, moving over 1.5 lakh people from areas at risk due to the cyclone's path. Of those evacuated, over 83,000 have been relocated to relief camps to ensure their safety.
Heavy Rainfall in Odisha and West Bengal
The coastal regions of Odisha are already experiencing heavy rainfall due to the cyclone’s impact. Areas such as Bhadrak and Kendrapara may receive more than 30 cm (12 inches) of rain. Other coastal areas are forecasted to get up to 20 cm of rain as the storm progresses. In total, 10 lakh people across 14 districts in Odisha have been evacuated as a precaution.
According to the map issued by the IMD, the cyclone will continue to move inland after hitting the coast of Odisha, bringing heavy rainfall to parts of West Bengal as well.
300 flighs cancelled
The cyclone has led to significant disruptions in travel. Around 300 flights have been cancelled for 16 hours, from 5 p.m. on Thursday until 9 a.m. on October 25, at the airports in Bhubaneswar and Kolkata. Train services have been severely affected as well.
South East Railway has cancelled 150 trains.
East Coast Railway has cancelled 198 trains.
Eastern Railway has cancelled 190 trains.
South East Central Railway has cancelled 14 trains.
In total, 552 trains have been cancelled as part of safety measures.
Precautions at Heritage Sites and Religious Complexes
Authorities have taken precautions at various tourist and religious sites in anticipation of the cyclone’s arrival. In Puri, temporary tents set up in the Jagannath Temple complex have been dismantled, and sandbags have been placed on asbestos roofs to prevent them from being blown away by the strong winds. The Konark Sun Temple has been closed to visitors for two days to ensure safety.
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