Odisha, Bengal On High Alert As Cyclone Dana Approaches East Coast

IMD warns of tidal surge and heavy rainfall

KOLKATA/BHUBANESWAR: Authorities in eastern India are racing against time to evacuate nearly 1.2 million people as Cyclone Dana barrels toward the coast, with the severe storm expected to make landfall early Friday between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra port in Odisha state.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning that Cyclone 'Dana' is expected to make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port in Odisha early on Friday, October 25. The cyclone, currently located approximately 500 km offshore, is anticipated to bring severe weather conditions, including wind speeds of up to 120 km/h and tidal surges reaching as high as 2 metres.

In Odisha, the state government has launched an unprecedented evacuation operation targeting about 1 million residents across 14 districts. "The state has identified over 3,000 vulnerable locations across 14 districts, primarily along the coastal belt," said state revenue and disaster management minister Suresh Pujari. Approximately 6,000 relief camps have been established to provide evacuees with cooked meals, medical care, safe drinking water, and security.

Neighbouring West Bengal has already moved more than 114,000 people to safety, primarily from coastal areas including the Sundarbans and Sagar Island.