Cyclone Dana: Trains cancellations, Odisha & Bengal brace for landfall – 10 key points

NEW DELHI: Cyclone Dana , a rapidly intensifying storm in the Bay of Bengal , is expected to make landfall on Odisha-West Bengal coasts in the early hours of October 25. With wind speeds projected to reach 120 km/h, the storm is likely to bring heavy rainfall and severe weather to coastal areas.

The India Meteorological Department ( IMD ) has issued warnings for fishermen, while rail services have been disrupted, and the Indian Coast Guard is on high alert.

Here are 10 key points about cyclone Dana:

• IMD confirmed that a deep depression over the east-central Bay of Bengal intensified into Cyclone Dana. It is projected to strengthen further into a severe cyclonic storm, with wind speeds reaching up to 120 km/h, before crossing the Odisha-West Bengal coasts.

• Cyclone Dana is likely to make landfall between Puri ( Odisha ) and Sagar Island (West Bengal) in the early hours of October 25. The IMD warned of possible high winds and severe weather conditions during this time.
• As of 5:30 am on Wednesday, Cyclone Dana was located 560 km southeast of Paradip (Odisha), 630 km south-southeast of Sagar Island (West Bengal), and 630 km south-southeast of Khepupara (Bangladesh), according to the IMD.
• Fishermen have been warned not to venture into the sea from October 23 to 25 due to expected winds of 60 km/h along the Odisha-West Bengal coasts, which may increase to 120 km/h from the night of October 24.
• Rail disruptions: More than 150 express and passenger trains scheduled between October 23 and 25 have been cancelled by South Eastern Railway (SER) due to the approaching cyclone.
• The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is on high alert, having mobilised its vessels and aircraft to be ready for any emergencies in the Bay of Bengal. Strategic deployments are being made to ensure swift responses.

• Thirteen teams from the NDRF have been stationed across southern regions potentially to be affected in preparation for potential rescue and relief operations.
• South Bengal districts, including South 24 Parganas, Paschim and Purba Medinipur, and Jhargram, are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall on October 24 and 25. Kolkata, Howrah, and Hooghly are also on alert for significant downpours.
• The Odisha government is bracing for maximum impact in coastal districts like Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Mayurbhanj, Jagatsinghpur, and Puri. Heavy rainfall and potential flooding are major concerns in these areas.
• In a preemptive measure, two Indian Air Force (IAF) aircrafts transported 150 NDRF personnel and relief supplies to Bhubaneswar on Wednesday. The aircrafts, flown in from Bhatinda, landed early in the morning to assist in cyclone preparations.