The India Meteorological Department had earlier said that the depression present over the east-central Bay of Bengal had moved west-northwestward at a speed of 6 kmph and would intensify into a cyclonic storm this morning.
It is expected to cross the northern Odisha and West Bengal coasts between Puri and Sagar Island during the night of October 24 and the morning of October 25 as a severe cyclonic storm, with wind speeds reaching 100-110 km/h.
Odisha is bracing for impact as its northern parts are expected to have the maximum impact.
The state government anticipates the maximum impact in the districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapada, Mayurbhanj, Jagatsinghpur, and Puri. To assist the local administration, six senior IAS officers with prior experience managing cyclones during their tenure as district collectors have been deployed in these areas. The cyclonic storm may also bring heavy rainfall to nearby districts, potentially causing flash floods.
Cyclone Dana Odisha: Schools shut, trains cancelled
Educational institutions in 14 districts will remain closed from Wednesday to Friday, while the East Coast Railway has canceled nearly 200 trains. Following its previous strategy to ensure “zero casualty,” the Odisha government has instructed district administrations to begin evacuating people from vulnerable areas.
“Priority will be given to shift pregnant women, children and aged persons first. Besides over 800 multipurpose cyclone shelters, the government has prepared 500 more temporary shelters using school and college buildings. We are ensuring all basic facilities, including cooked food, at the shelters,” the state’s revenue and disaster management minister Suresh Pujari said.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has urged all MLAs to stay in their constituencies. The state government has already deployed around 20 teams from the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force and 10 teams from the National Disaster Response Force.
Doctors’ leaves have been cancelled, and they have been called back to their respective healthcare centers. The health department has also instructed district authorities to ensure sufficient stocks of essential medicines, including those for diarrhea and anti-venom injections.
Following the government’s appeal, tourists and pilgrims have begun leaving Puri, and the Archaeological Survey of India has announced the closure of all monuments and museums for two days. Meanwhile, vegetable prices, including potatoes and onions, have surged in local markets due to panic buying.