Cyclone Dana is approaching the eastern coast of India, with Odisha and West Bengal bracing for its impact as the storm is expected to make landfall between Puri and Sagar Island during the night of October 24 and October 25. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts that Dana will cross the north Odisha and West Bengal coasts as a severe cyclonic storm, bringing wind speeds of 100-110 kmph, gusting up to 120 kmph.
Odisha is taking extensive measures to mitigate the effects of Cyclone Dana. The state government has shut down schools across vulnerable districts and warned fishermen to avoid venturing into the sea on October 24. The IMD has forecast heavy rainfall across the state from October 23 to October 25, particularly in coastal regions.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi convened a high-level meeting to review preparedness efforts. “We are absolutely ready to face the cyclone. All the disaster response teams have been put on readiness. Our focus is to ensure zero casualty,” Mr. Majhi said. He emphasized the importance of 100% evacuation of vulnerable areas, ensuring that all essential commodities are stocked in cyclone shelters to support displaced communities.
In addition to this, the state has placed all coastal districts on high alert, cancelled leave for government employees, and positioned the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force and fire service personnel on standby. The districts of Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Balasore, Bhadrak, Ganjam, and Khorda are receiving special attention due to their vulnerability to the cyclone’s impact.
In West Bengal, heavy rains are forecast in the coastal districts of Purba and Paschim Medinipur, as well as North and South 24 Parganas, starting October 23. State authorities are closely monitoring the situation and preparing for potential evacuations and disaster response efforts.
Cyclone Dana’s name was suggested by Qatar and carries the meaning "generosity" in Arabic. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the practice of assigning names to tropical cyclones helps make the tracking and discussion of these storms more straightforward, especially when multiple storms are active simultaneously. Names also aid in historical record-keeping and research into storm behaviour and impacts.
Tropical cyclone names are pre-designated by five regional bodies, including the WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones, which is responsible for naming storms in the Indian Ocean. Names are proposed by member countries and selected based on factors such as familiarity within the region, ease of pronunciation, and their significance across different languages.
The naming process ensures that each cyclone has a unique name, preventing confusion during communication and media coverage, and aiding efforts in disaster management and emergency response.
As Cyclone Dana nears the coasts of Odisha and West Bengal, both states are taking no chances in their preparations, ensuring that communities are well-prepared for the storm’s arrival. With disaster response teams on alert and vulnerable areas being evacuated, authorities are focused on minimizing the cyclone's impact and safeguarding lives.
Leave Your Comment