Cyclone Dana Batters Odisha, Bengal Coasts; NDRF on High Alert

Cyclone Dana, an intense cyclonic storm from the Bay of Bengal, made landfall late on October 24, lashing coastal areas of Odisha and West Bengal with torrential rain and powerful winds reaching speeds of up to 110 km/h. This severe weather event led the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to station 20 emergency teams across both states as local authorities braced for widespread flooding and potential infrastructure damage. The storm struck hardest along the coastline stretching from Puri to Sagar Island, where heavy rain, flooding, and strong storm surges were reported.

With the cyclone’s approach anticipated several days ago, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued multiple advisories to coastal residents, urging them to avoid the sea and stay indoors as the storm drew near. Odisha, particularly vulnerable, saw high alert levels in districts such as Puri, Khurda, Ganjam, and Jagatsinghpur, where an IMD “red alert” warned of significant rainfall and high wind impacts. Similarly, West Bengal districts including North and South 24 Parganas, as well as East and West Midnapore, braced for flooding and disruption.

Ahead of the storm, residents in low-lying coastal regions were relocated to temporary shelters. Local governments ordered the closure of schools and businesses in vulnerable areas, with Odisha taking pre-emptive measures by closing educational institutions in nearly a dozen affected districts. Fishermen were advised against setting out to sea, and authorities halted ferry services to mitigate risks of loss and damage. Despite these efforts, local authorities reported some incidents of damage to property and trees uprooted by gusting winds as Cyclone Dana swept through the region.

The IMD’s forecasting models initially charted the cyclone’s west-northwest track, with Dana projected to maintain cyclonic intensity upon landfall before gradually weakening as it moves inland. Rainfall in Odisha is predicted to be intense for the next several days, with an expected tapering by October 27 as the storm dissipates over land. Flooding risks remain high in certain areas due to the potential overflow of rivers and waterlogged infrastructure.

As of early reports following Dana’s landfall, power outages affected multiple regions, particularly in coastal districts, as lines were downed by the high winds. Local authorities, in collaboration with NDRF personnel, are working to restore power and clear roads. Relief measures are underway to ensure basic services for those displaced by the storm, with emergency personnel deployed to distribute food, water, and medical assistance to affected residents.