As Tropical Cyclone Dana approaches India’s eastern coast, extensive evacuations and emergency measures are being implemented to safeguard residents in vulnerable areas of West Bengal and Odisha.
India Prepares for Cyclone Dana: Evacuations and Disaster Response Underway
India Prepares for Cyclone Dana: Evacuations and Disaster Response Underway
Nearly a million people are being evacuated in anticipation of Tropical Cyclone Dana, with significant disruptions to travel and local infrastructure.
As Tropical Cyclone Dana approaches India’s eastern coast, approximately one million residents have been evacuated to safety as the storm threatens to make landfall by early Friday, bringing with it the risks of flooding and landslides. The cyclone, which is currently swirling northwest across the Bay of Bengal with winds reaching 75 miles per hour, is expected to hit the coast of Odisha overnight, prompting extensive preparations.
Odisha’s revenue and disaster management minister, Suresh Pujari, announced that over 5,000 camps have been established to accommodate the relocated residents. Meanwhile, neighboring West Bengal has also initiated evacuation efforts, as local news reports indicate.
Concerns about potential devastation loom large in this region, particularly recalling the catastrophic cyclone that struck in 1999, resulting in nearly 10,000 fatalities, many of whom were from Odisha’s impoverished communities residing in precarious structures. However, since that disaster, Odisha has enhanced its preparedness through the establishment of a disaster management agency, the construction of robust shelters, and the creation of thorough evacuation protocols that are now being activated in light of Dana.
In response to the impending storm, India has mobilized its navy and disaster relief teams while issuing warnings regarding heavy rainfall and cyclone risks along the coastal regions. Forecasts predict that areas in Odisha and West Bengal could receive two to four inches of rain, with certain locations potentially experiencing more than eight inches.
Disruptions to transport have also been significant, with numerous flights canceled at Kolkata Airport and Biju Patnaik International Airport, halting operations for at least 15 hours. Indian Railways reported the cancellation of over 100 train services as a precautionary measure. Schools and examinations across dozens of districts in both Odisha and West Bengal were suspended starting Wednesday, and marine activities have been prohibited in the Bay of Bengal during the cyclone's path.
The India Meteorological Department has cautioned that the storm may inflict considerable damage to homes, roads, and crops, alongside creating risky conditions for landslides and flooding in the affected areas. Local authorities are urging residents to comply with evacuation orders and remain vigilant as Tropical Cyclone Dana moves closer to landfall.
