The deep depression over the Bay of Bengal has transformed into cyclonic storm ‘Dana’ on Wednesday morning. According to the IMD, it is expected to intensify into a severe cyclone before crossing the east coast between Puri in Odisha and Sagar Island in West Bengal on October 25. During this period the wind speed can reach 120 km per hour. For this, the government and local administration are already in alert mode. More than 150 trains are cancelled. Schools and colleges have been closed and preparations have been made to evacuate about 10 lakh people.
Where did ‘Dana’ reach?
IMD said on Wednesday morning that yesterday (Tuesday) a deep depression over east-central Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestwards at a speed of 18 kmph in the last six hours and intensified into cyclonic storm ‘Dana’. . As of 5:30 am, it was about 560 km south-east of Paradip (Odisha) and 630 km south-southeast of Sagar Island (West Bengal).
When will it enter Odisha?
“It is likely to move north-westwards and become a severe cyclonic storm over north-west Bay of Bengal by the morning of October 24,” the IMD said. “It will cross the coasts of North Odisha and West Bengal between Puri and Samudra islands from the night of October 24 to the morning of October 25, during which the wind speed can reach 120 km per hour.”
Government on high alert
Odisha News Desk!!! In preparation for the severe cyclonic storm ‘Dana’, it has been decided to evacuate people living in sensitive areas in Odisha and West Bengal to safe places and close educational institutions. The Indian Coast Guard on Tuesday said it is on ‘high alert’ and has deployed its ships and aircraft to deal with any contingency arising from the cyclonic storm.
800 shelter centers ready
Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said the state government has prepared around 800 cyclone shelter centres, which will house people evacuated from sensitive areas. He said officials have so far visited 250 cyclone shelters where people will be kept after evacuation.
Provision of food, electricity and water
According to Pujari, arrangements for food, water, medicine, electricity and other essential commodities were made for the people evacuated from various areas due to the cyclone. He said that apart from 800 cyclone shelter centres, 500 additional temporary shelter camps have been set up in schools and colleges.
schools-colleges closed
Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) DK Singh has directed the School and Public Education Department to close all schools, colleges and universities including other educational institutions from October 23 to 25 as a precautionary measure in the 14 cyclone-affected districts of West Bengal. The Chief Minister said that his government is prepared to deal with the wrath of cyclone ‘Dana’. He said in Kolkata, “As a precautionary measure, all schools in seven districts will remain closed from October 23 to 26.” We are not taking any risks. Schools and colleges are sometimes used as shelters for people.
NDRF has demanded 10 teams
The Odisha government has requested 10 additional teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to deal with the cyclone. “Existing teams of NDRF have already been sent to the districts which are likely to be affected by cyclone ‘Dana’,” Pujari said. Additional Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Padmanabha Behera said 17 teams of Odisha Disaster Rapid Response Force (ODRAF) will also be deployed in 10 cyclone-prone districts. He said three more ODRAF teams would be kept ready. NDRF has so far deployed 13 teams in West Bengal to deal with any emergency.
Fishermen have been advised not to enter the water
The Meteorological Department has advised fishermen not to go into the sea from 23 to 25 October. It said wind speed is expected to reach 60 kmph along Odisha and West Bengal coasts and gradually increase thereafter.
