Deputy Inspector General of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Mohsen Shahedi, announced on Thursday that 20 teams have been deployed in Odisha and 17 in West Bengal ahead of Cyclone Dana’s expected landfall. He also noted that more than 1.7 lakh residents in the affected areas of Odisha have already been evacuated.
Speaking to ANI, DIG Shahedi stated, “Today, it (Cyclone Dana) has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm. The cyclone is expected to make landfall either at midnight or tomorrow morning. Our 20 teams are deployed in Odisha, and 17 teams are stationed in West Bengal.”
“Odisha and West Bengal will be impacted the most, with Bhadrak district in Odisha likely to face the worst effects. Ten coastal districts in Odisha are heavily affected. More than 1.7 lakh people in the impacted areas of Odisha have already been evacuated,” he added.
Earlier in the day, Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo assured that the government is fully prepared and all relevant departments and staff are ready to handle any situation arising from Cyclone Dana’s landfall.
Speaking to ANI in Bhubaneswar, Odisha Deputy CM Deo said, “The government is prepared. All departments are in position, and officers and workers are ready to tackle any eventuality. Rather than creating fear among the people, we aim to be proactive and provide the necessary support.”
India Meteorological Department (IMD) Director General Dr. Mrityunjay Mohapatra said that the cyclone’s most severe impact would be felt in Odisha, followed by the coastal districts of West Bengal.
Speaking to ANI in Delhi, Dr. Mohapatra noted, “Cyclone Dana intensified into a severe storm last night and moved north-northwestward. As of today forenoon, it is centered about 200 km southeast. The most adverse impact will be over Odisha, followed by the coastal districts of West Bengal. After landfall, it is expected to move west-northwestward, leading to increased rainfall in southern Jharkhand. We have issued heavy to very heavy rainfall warnings for isolated places in southern Jharkhand. Wind speeds could reach 40-50 km/hr in Jharkhand and 50-60 km/hr in interior districts of Odisha on the 24th and 25th.”
Earlier today, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi chaired a high-level meeting to review the preparedness for Cyclone Dana at Lok Seva Bhavan in Bhubaneswar. The Minister of Revenue and Disaster Management, Suresh Pujari, was also present.
Odisha Minister Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra confirmed that all necessary precautions are being taken in areas where the cyclone is expected to make landfall. Speaking to ANI, he said, “All ministers have been assigned responsibilities to oversee affected areas. One IAS officer has been deployed to each district. Everyone is on alert in areas where landfall is expected, and officers are working diligently. Our party workers are also assisting.”
Evacuations began earlier today in Dhamara and Bhadrak, with residents being relocated to cyclone shelters, according to officials. Additionally, NDRF teams in both Odisha and West Bengal remain on standby.
Meanwhile, the Indian Navy is preparing to conduct Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations in anticipation of Cyclone Dana’s severe impact along the coastlines of Odisha and West Bengal, officials said.