Odisha and West Bengal witness Cyclone Dana’s impact; authorities in alert mode to mitigate damage
Odisha's coastline faced the full force of Cyclone Dana, a severe cyclonic storm, as it made landfall between Bhitarkanika in Kendrapara district and Dhamra in Bhadrak late Thursday night, continuing into the early hours of Friday. Winds gusted at speeds between 100 kmph and 110 kmph, with the storm dumping extremely heavy rainfall on the coastal districts of Bhadrak, Kendrapara, and Balasore, as well as areas in West Bengal. The storm, moving north-northwest at a steady 15 kmph, affected an expansive area with downpours, power outages, and travel disruptions.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has advised Odisha’s residents to stay vigilant as Cyclone Dana, though now weakened to a cyclonic storm, is projected to linger, triggering more heavy rainfall across northern and central Odisha. IMD Director-General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra informed that the storm will likely degrade into a deep depression by the evening, shifting northwest and bringing heavy rain to Bihar, with warnings issued across 34 districts, particularly in the Kosi and Seemanchal regions.
The severe storm’s influence is spreading into Bihar, with temperatures already dropping by 1-6°C. The IMD predicts widespread rainfall across eastern and south-central Bihar on October 25, with heavy rain anticipated in Patna, Gaya, and Araria, among others. Gusty winds and thunderstorms will continue, affecting daily life and prompting caution from state authorities as residents brace for possible flooding and infrastructure disruptions.
The Odisha government’s meticulous preparedness efforts proved beneficial in safeguarding residents. Around 4,431 pregnant women were moved to relief centers, with 1,600 giving birth in safe conditions. Despite the storm’s intensity, there were no fatalities reported, a remarkable outcome credited to the state’s swift evacuations and preemptive measures. The Odisha Raj Bhavan has set up a 24x7 helpline for assistance, aiming to ensure rapid responses to any emergency situations arising from Cyclone Dana.
While no casualties have been reported, Cyclone Dana’s landfall uprooted trees, snapped power lines, and flooded areas, including low-lying parts of Odisha’s coastal districts. Heavy rains surged sea levels by over a meter, inundating farmlands and causing widespread damage to standing paddy crops, which may result in significant agricultural losses. In neighboring West Bengal’s Sundarbans, powerful winds uprooted hundreds of trees, underscoring the storm's reach across the region.
Air travel was halted temporarily at Bhubaneswar and Kolkata airports, and railways canceled numerous train services for safety reasons. Essential services, including educational institutions, parks, and tourist spots, were closed as a preventive measure.
Telecom providers in Odisha activated intra-circle roaming services across seven districts, ensuring that people remained connected despite potential network disruptions. This initiative facilitated a seamless transition for users across Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, and other high-alert areas, with Jio enabling interconnect roaming to bolster network resilience.
To minimize crop losses, the National Rice Research Institute (NRRI) advised farmers to open drainage channels in non-mature paddy fields to prevent waterlogging. The institute also suggested that harvested rice be stored safely to prevent damage, as continued rainfall may lead to crop quality issues.
With the famous Jagannath Temple in Puri and the Sun Temple in Konark closed, devotees undertaking the month-long Kartik Brata ritual were urged to exercise caution. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and local law enforcement have taken precautionary steps to protect these historic sites and keep beachgoers away from dangerous coastal areas.
Scientists note that the frequency and intensity of cyclones like Dana may be escalating due to climate change. Warmer ocean surfaces release more water vapor, fueling stronger storms with intense rainfall. However, advancements in weather forecasting and evacuation strategies have successfully mitigated casualties from these severe storms.
Odisha has experienced the devastation of cyclones before, notably in 1999 when a catastrophic storm claimed 10,000 lives. Thanks to decades of planning and infrastructure upgrades, this week’s encounter with Cyclone Dana shows a vastly improved resilience, although authorities continue to evaluate and address the storm’s impacts.
Cyclone Dana serves as a reminder of the crucial role that climate resilience and emergency planning play in safeguarding lives. As Odisha begins its journey to recovery, officials and citizens alike are hopeful that the worst has passed, though vigilance remains high with the possibility of more cyclones in the coming season.
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