Odisha aims for "100% evacuation" as cyclone Dana approaches.
The government has urged tourists and pilgrims from other states to depart from Puri town by Wednesday morning.
Arpit Pattnaik
A cyclonic storm named 'Dana' is expected to reach the coast of Odisha and West Bengal, between Puri and Sagar Island, on the night of October 24 and 25. The storm is anticipated to bring wind speeds of 100-120 kmph. As a precaution, the Odisha government has emphasized "100 per cent evacuations" from the potentially affected areas.
Tourists and pilgrims from other states are urged to leave Puri town by Wednesday morning. The Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister, Suresh Pujari, has advised people not to visit Puri on October 24 and 25 in light of the forecasted impact on the town. President Droupadi Murmu's scheduled visit to Odisha between October 23 and 25 has been postponed due to the cyclone alert.
In preparation for the cyclone, schools in 14 coastal and adjoining districts of Odisha will remain closed from October 23 to 25. Although the exact location of the cyclone's landfall is yet to be forecasted by the IMD, it is likely to be in northern Odisha.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in coastal and northern parts of the state, with warnings of possible flash floods in certain districts. The Odisha Chief Minister, Mohan Charan Majhi, has assured that the government is fully prepared to face the situation and emphasized the aim of zero casualties.
The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) chaired by Union Cabinet Secretary T V Somanathan reviewed preparedness for the impending cyclone in the Bay of Bengal. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed teams in West Bengal and Odisha, with additional rescue and relief teams from the Army, Navy, and Coast Guard on standby. Regular alerts and advisories are being communicated to the ports of Paradip and Haldia.
As part of preparedness, the Odisha state government has directed district administrations to ensure over 800 multipurpose cyclone shelters are equipped with basic facilities like electricity, food, and water supply. Additionally, the CM has directed for early restoration of essential services that could be affected by the cyclone, such as electricity, water supply, and telecommunication.
