Cyclone Dana: Ahead of landfall, Mamata Banerjee monitors situation in Bengal's Howrah

Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi monitors the situation ahead of the expected landfall of cyclone 'Dana'.

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) on Thursday said it has initiated comprehensive safety measures to safeguard ports, vessels, and personnel in response to cyclone Dana. Minister of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways Shantanu Thakur, chaired a detailed review meeting to assess the preparedness of the Ministry, the Directorate General of Shipping, and the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Thakur praised the proactive measures taken by the concerned agencies and urged them to stay vigilant in monitoring the situation as the cyclone intensifies, according to an official statement.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said that the administration identified over 3.5 lakh people to be evacuated from low-lying areas of the state in the wake of the approaching cyclone Dana. Urging people to take precautionary measures and cooperate with the administration and the police, she said 2,43,374 people have taken shelter in camps. The Bengal CM said that she would be staying the entire Thursday night at the state secretariat and personally monitor the situation. "For the purpose of evacuation from low-lying areas, we have identified 3,56,941 people," she told reporters at the state secretariat. The chief secretary and home secretary would also be monitoring the situation from their respective residences and rejoin her on Friday morning.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed with Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi over the phone regarding preparations to deal with the cyclone 'Dana' in Odisha.

Parts of Jharkhand could experience heavy to very heavy rainfall from Thursday night under the influence of cyclonic storm Dana, a Met Department official said. An 'orange' alert has been issued for the Kolhan region (West Singhbhum, Seraikela-Kharswan and East Singhbhum districts) for Friday, he said. This category of alert indicates heavy rainfall ranging from 115 mm to 204 mm in 24 hours, the official said. "Apart from heavy rain, the region might also experience thunderstorms and gusty winds with speeds of up to 60 kmph," Ranchi Meteorological Centre in-charge Abhishek Anand said. In view of the inclement weather, Jharkhand School Education and Literacy Development Department on Thursday said that all categories of schools would be closed on Friday in Kolhan division.

The Kolkata airport suspended flight operations for 15 hours from Thursday evening in the wake of Cyclone Dana, a senior Airports Authority of India (AAI) official said. Though the flight operations at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International airport were supposed to be suspended from 6 pm on Thursday, it got delayed a bit. "On Thursday evening, IndiGo's Amritsar-Kolkata flight was the last flight to arrive in the eastern metropolis and it landed at 6.11 pm. The last flight to depart was IndiGo's Kolkata-Guwahati flight at 7 pm," airport director Pravat Ranjan Beuria told PTI.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said that I will be staying in Nabanna tonight till the time of landfall of cyclone 'Dana'.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said that the administration identified over 3.5 lakh people to be evacuated from low-lying areas of the state in the wake of the approaching cyclone Dana. Urging people to take precautionary measures and cooperate with the administration and the police, she said 2,43,374 people have taken shelter in camps.

Cyclone Dana will today (October 24) make landfall between Bhitarkanika and Dhamra port in Odisha. 

(With inputs from Onkar Sarkar) 

The Odisha government has appointed a Special Secretary for Balasore and Mayurbhanj for the pre-cyclone arrangement. Special Secretary Gangadhar Nayak said, "I am especially deployed for the pre-cyclone arrangements... Basically the rescue operation, the uninterrupted drinking water supply and other logistic support. All arrangements have been made by the local administration..."

With cyclone Dana rolling towards the Odisha coast, the authorities on Thursday advised devotees against visiting the Jagannath temple in Puri and expedited preparations to minimise the impact of the calamity on the 12th-century shrine.

Puri District Collector Siddharth S Swain said that the devotees, including those undertaking a month-long ‘Kartik Brata’ ritual, should also be discouraged from visiting the temple as a safety measure. Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) in a statement said that all measures were being taken to protect the shrine located in the seaside town while keeping the daily rituals intact.

300 flights at Bhubaneswar and Kolkata airports have been cancelled as operations at both airports were shut for 16 hours. Moreover, 552 trains have also been cancelled. South East Railway has cancelled 150 trains, East Coast Railway 198, Eastern Railway 190 and South East Central Railway 14. 

12 districts of Bihar will be under the impact of Cyclone Dana. Wind speed in many of these districts will be 20 to 40 km per hour. The districts are:

• Bhagalpur
• Banka
• Jamui
• Munger
• Sheikhpura
• Nalanda
• Jehanabad
• Lakhisarai
• Nawada
• Gaya
• Katihar
• Purnia
• Kishanganj 
   

The Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for 8 districts of Chhattisgarh. For the next three days from 25th to 27th October there may be some showers. On the 25th and 26th of October, a wind speed of 40 km per hour is highly likely.

Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh is expected to experience heavy rains with gusty winds of 30 to 50 kmph. Meanwhile, 9 teams of NDRF have been deployed in the state.

Cyclone effect in seven states:

• Odisha
• West Bengal
• Andhra Pradesh
• Jharkhand
• Chhattisgarh
•  Bihar
• Tamil Nadu

As the Indian Navy prepares for Cyclone Dana, it has kept two ships equipped with supplies and rescue teams have at standby for any relief efforts.

IMD DG Dr Mrityunjay Mohapatra has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in the Southern part of Jharkhand after the cyclone makes landfall as it is expected to move west-northwestward after landfall.

DIG-NDRF Mohsen Shahedi said, "Today, it (Cyclone Dana) has been changed into a severe cyclonic storm. It is expected that the cyclone will make landfall at midnight or tomorrow morning. Our 20 teams are deployed in Odisha and 17 teams are in West Bengal."

As Cyclone Dana is set to make landfall, the heavy rainfall is witnessed in many areas of West Bengal and Odisha. Due to continuous downpours, the Brahamani River has swelled up. 

Ahead of the landfall, NDRF Deputy Commandant Sanjay Kumar Ranjan conducted equipments demonstration for all the personnel deployed in West Bengal's Digha.

Ahead of the landfall, the Indian Navy's Eastern Naval Command, in coordination with Naval Officers-in-Charge (NOIC) in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal, have activated a comprehensive disaster response mechanism. 

Strong winds and rains continue to lash Odisha's Bhadrak.

District administration alerted people near the Puri beach ahead of the landfall of Cyclone Dana. Huge surf seen along the coast in Odisha.

The severe cyclonic storm “DANA” (pronounced as Dana) over central & adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal moved north-northwestwards with a speed of 12 kmph during past 6 hours, and lay centred at 0530 hrs IST of today, the 24th October, over northwest & adjoining central Bay of Bengal, near latitude 18.5° N and longitude 88.2°E, about 260 km southeast of Paradip (Odisha), 290 km south-southeast of Dhamara (Odisha) and 350 km south of Sagar Island (West Bengal).

It is very likely to move northwestwards and cross north Odisha and West Bengal coasts between Puri and Sagar Island close to Bhitarkanika and Dhamara (Odisha) during mid-night of 24th to morning of 25th October, 2024 as a severe Cyclonic Storm with a wind speed of 100-110 kmph gusting 120 kmph.

Odisha Deputy CM Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo said that the government is fully prepared to deal with the cyclone. Every department, including CM, are monitoring the situation on the ground, said Singh.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning that a severe cyclonic storm is expected to cross the northern Odisha and West Bengal coasts between Puri and Sagar Island, near Bhitarkanika and Dhamara in Odisha. The cyclone is likely to make landfall between midnight on October 24 and the morning of October 25, 2024.

IMD predicts wind speeds ranging from 100-110 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 120 kmph, during the storm’s impact. Coastal areas are advised to prepare for possible disruptions and take necessary precautions.

IMD Director Manorama Mohanty said, "The cyclone Dana has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm in last midnight and it is moving north-westward with a speed 12km/hr during the last 6 hours and now it is lying over central and adjoining north-west Bay of Bengal."

Cyclone "Dana" may make landfall tonight. The effect of cyclones is being witnessed in the coastal areas of Bengal and Odisha. Strong winds and rains have started in Digha of East Medinipur district since last night. The wind speed can reach 120 kmph when the storm hits West Bengal and Odisha tonight. All arrangements have been made by the West Bengal government to deal with this cyclone. The beach has been barricaded to prevent any tourists from reaching the beach. All shops are closed. Tourists have been ordered to leave the hotel by the administration.

Bhadrak assistant fisheries officer Sandeep Kumar Behera said that In his jurisdiction there are 911 registered boats, 10 FLC and all the boats have been docked in the landing centre.

"In view of the impending landfall of Cyclone DANA, the Governor has cancelled all his programmes and shall be monitoring the activities of Cyclone Dana from the Control Room in Raj Bhavan," said Raj Bhavan.

Heavy rainfall and gusty winds hit Bhitarkanika in Kendrapara district ahead of Cyclone Dana landfall.

Bhadrak Collector Dilip Routrai said, "We are evacuating the people from vulnerable areas. Some people are coming on their own, while some are being brought by police as they don't want to leave their homes. 3 NDRF teams are deployed, 1 is stationed at the headquarters 2 are in the field. We have 2 ODRF teams and 4 Fire Department teams are at work..."

People are being brought to cyclone shelter in Odisha's Bhadrak ahead of Cyclone Dana's landfall.

The Orissa High Court will remain closed on Thursday and Friday in view of cyclonic storm Dana, according to a notification. The cyclone, with wind speeds expected to reach up to 120 kmph, is likely to make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port in Odisha by Friday morning, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

"In view of the upcoming natural calamity, severe cyclonic storm Dana, the functioning of the court and offices of the high court shall remain closed on October 24 & 25," said the notification issued by the registrar (judicial) of the HC on Wednesday.

Flight operations at the Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar will remain suspended for 16 hours from Thursday evening in view of cyclone Dana, a statement said. The cyclone, with wind speeds expected to reach up to 120 kmph, is likely to make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port in Odisha by Friday morning, according to IMD. 

"Airport operation will be suspended from 5 pm on October 24 to 9 am on October 25 due to cyclone Dana," the statement said.

Strong sea surfs witnessed at Odisha's coast ahead of landfall of Cyclone Dana 

Cyclone Dana is 280 Km away from Paradeep and 310 km away from Dhamra. It is moving at 15kmph.It will make landfall between Dhamra and Bhintarkanika. High tides during the landfall will be 2 metre higher than normal.

Bhadrak’s Dhamra region in Odisha is experiencing strong winds and heavy rainfall as Cyclone Dana nears landfall. The cyclone is expected to make landfall between October 24 and 25, affecting the Odisha-West Bengal coast.

The Odisha High Court has announced a two-day closure on October 24 and 25 in anticipation of the severe Cyclone ‘Dana.’ This decision was made as the cyclone approaches Odisha’s coast, with expected landfall between Bhitarkanika and Dhamra on the night of October 24 or early October 25, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Cyclonic storm 'Dana', formed over east-central Bay of Bengal on Wednesday, is set to bring heavy rainfall in several southern West Bengal districts, including Kolkata, the IMD said. Eastern and South Eastern railways cancelled a large number of trains on October 24 and 25, in view of the cyclone.

The storm is likely to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm over northwest Bay of Bengal and make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra port in Odisha early Friday with wind speeds of up to 120 kmph, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

The flight operations at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata will be suspended for 15 hours starting at 6:00 PM on Thursday as a precautionary measure ahead of Cyclone Dana. According to airport authorities, flight operations will be halted from 6:00 PM on October 25 until 9:00 AM on October 26.

Governor, Raj Bhavan has opened a 24x7 control room which can be contacted at:

• Phone: 033-22001641
• email: emergency.danarajbhavan@gmail.com

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said more than 30 per cent of the targeted 10 lakh people have been evacuated to safe places by Wednesday evening in view of cyclone Dana that barrels toward the state's coastal region, threatening to impact nearly half of its population.

He reviewed the government’s preparedness for the cyclone which is likely to cross the Odisha coast, close to Bhitarkanika and Dhamra, early on Friday. “Three districts are likely to be severely affected. Steps are being taken to evacuate people from danger zones...So far, 30 per cent of the targeted 10 lakh people have been evacuated...the remaining will be taken to safety by 11 am on Thursday," the chief minister said.

In view of the impending landfall of Cyclone Dana and its effects predicted from the midnight of October 23 to the morning of October 26, the West Bengal Raj Bhavan has set up a task force and control room to assist the public in this hour of need.

Governor CV Anand Bose called an emergency meeting of experts and the core team in the afternoon on Wednesday in the Raj Bhavan, Kolkata. The Governor wished the people safety and security. The governor expresses confidence that the resilient people of Bengal will face the crisis with resilience and fortitude.

Cyclone Dana is very likely to move northwestwards and cross north Odisha and West Bengal coasts between Puri and Sagar Island close to Bhitarkanika and Dhamara (Odisha) from mid-night of 24th to the morning of 25th October 2024

Stressing on the preparations for Cyclone 'Dana', Odisha Fire Services Director General, Sudhanshu Sarangi said that they have 182 teams which is nearly about 2000 people and they are fully geared up to deal with the cyclone. The IMD has indicated that Cyclone Dana is likely to move north-westwards and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over the northwest Bay of Bengal by the early hours of October 24.

Cyclone Dana is to make landfall on October 25, said Devendra Thakkar, CEO, Dhamra Port. He added that work has been stopped and workers have been evacuated.