A deep depression over the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a cyclonic storm, now named Cyclone Dana, and is projected to strike the Odisha-Bengal coast on Friday, October 25. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts that the cyclone will make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port, with wind speeds expected to reach 100-110 mph, gusting to 120 mph.
In preparation for the storm, both the Odisha and West Bengal governments, along with the Coast Guard, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and other rescue agencies, are on high alert. The evacuation of nearly 1 million people from vulnerable coastal areas is currently underway, with authorities setting up relief shelters equipped with food, water, and medical supplies. Schools in the coastal districts have been closed, and residents are being relocated to multipurpose cyclone shelters and flood shelters to ensure safety.
Districts Under Threat
The IMD has issued heavy rainfall warnings for several districts in both Odisha and West Bengal. Fourteen districts in Odisha, including Puri, Khordha, Jagatsinghpur, and Balasore, are expected to be the hardest hit. In West Bengal, the coastal regions of South and North 24 Parganas, Purba Medinipur, and parts of Paschim Medinipur and Bankura are likely to experience severe impacts from Cyclone Dana. The states are taking proactive measures to minimize damage and ensure the safety of residents as the storm approaches.