Cyclone Dana: 1.1 million evacuated, flights suspended in India’s Odisha and Bengal ahead of landfall

Eastern Indian states of Odisha and West Bengal were bracing for severe cyclonic storm ‘Dana’ Thursday night (Oct 24), prompting authorities to cancel flights and trains and order evacuation of more than 1.1 million people.

The storm is going to affect millions of people in the two states, with authorities issuing a ‘red warning’ (take action) for heavy to very heavy rainfall in seven districts: Mayurbhanj, Cuttack, Jajpur, Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, and Jagatsinghpur.

The landfall is expected early Friday (Oct 25) between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port in Odisha, with wind speeds reaching up to 120 km/h.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said around 300,000 people living in ‘danger zone’ have been moved to shelters. Coastal regions in the state were already facing heavy rain since Thursday morning as the cyclone moved closer to the shores.

Heavy rainfall is also expected in neighbouring Jharkhand state, where an orange alert has been issued for the Kolhan region (West Singhbhum, Seraikela-Kharswan and East Singhbhum districts).

West Bengal has also evacuated more than 200,000 people ahead of the landfall.

Earlier, flights were suspended to and from major cities of both states.

Teams from the NDRF in both Odisha and West Bengal have been placed on standby. Additionally, rescue and relief teams from the Army, Navy, and Coast Guard are on high alert, reported news agency ANI.

(With inputs from agencies)