New Delhi: Odisha is bracing for cyclone Dana, a cyclonic storm that is expected to hit the state on the night of October 24 as a result of the depression over the east-central Bay of Bengal moving west-northwestward.
A massive cyclonic storm is expected on the morning of October 25 with a wind speed of 100-120 kilometre per hour, reported The Indian Express.
The districts in Odisha which are expected to be heavily impacted by the cyclone include Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapada, Mayurbhanj, Jagatsinghpur and Puri, where the cyclonic storm can also result in heavy rainfall and flash floods.
IMD director general Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said the maximum speed of the wind will be felt in the Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Bhadrak and Balasore districts of Odisha and East Medinipur of West Bengal.
Educational institutions closed in 14 districts
Educational institutions in 14 districts will remain shut from Wednesday (October 23) to Friday (October 25) while the government has deputed several senior bureaucrats in districts where the risk of devastation from cyclone is high.
The state government has also cancelled leaves of doctors and they have been recalled to their respective healthcare centres.
The health department has instructed district administration to ensure sufficient stocks of drugs, including diarrhoea and anti-venom injections.
“Discussion was also held for early restoration of power and water supply and telephone and road communication. Uninterrupted electricity will be ensured to hospitals. The concerned department has already kept a close watch to prevent hoarding or overcharging of essential commodities,” said Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, reported The Hindu.
Odisha to evacuate 10 lakh people, coast guard on high alert
The Odisha government has started evacuating people, Odisha planning to shift more than 10 lakh people from 3,000 villages in 14 districts to relief camps. Half of the state’s population is likely to be impacted by the cyclone, reported Press Trust of India.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has said that that the state government is ready to face the cyclone.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea from October 23 to 25.
The Met warned that wind speed is expected to reach 60 kilometres per hour (kmph) along and off Odisha-West Bengal coasts from October 23 and gradually increase to 100-110 kmph, gusting to 120 kmph, from October 24 night till October 25 morning.
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is also on high alert, mobilising it vessels and aircraft to ensure that any contingency over the Bay of Bengal is addressed swiftly.
