Cyclone Dana impact: Kolkata airport to suspend flight ops for 15 hours. Details here

Cyclone Dana is likely to make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra port in neighbouring Odisha early Friday.

Updated on: Oct 23, 2024, 20:28:22 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Cyclone Dana: Flight operations at the Kolkata Airport will remain suspended for 15 hours from 6 pm on Thursday in view of the possible impact of cyclone Dana, PTI reported.

Cyclone Dana: Scientist Sourish Bandopadhyay shows the progress of cyclonic storm 'Dana' on a digital screen, at the regional meteorogical centre in Kolkata, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (PTI)

The step has been taken keeping in mind the safety of passengers, airline employees, various equipment, navigational aids and infrastructure, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) said on Wednesday. Follow LIVE updates here.

“In view of Cyclone Dana's impact on the coastal region of West Bengal, including Kolkata, it has been decided to suspend the flight operations from 6 pm on October 24 to 9 am on October 25 due to predicted heavy winds and heavy to very heavy rainfall at Kolkata,” an AAI spokesperson was quoted as saying.

Also Read | Cyclone Dana forms, likely to cause heavy to extremely heavy rainfall

According to the India Meteorological Department, Cyclone Dana likely to make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra port in neighbouring Odisha early Friday.

It said that the landfall process will start from the night of October 24 and continue till the morning of October 25. The maximum speed during the landfall process is likely to be around 120 kmph, as per the IMD.

IMD Scientist Habibur Rahman Biswas told ANI that the cyclone is approximately 570 km from Sagar Island (West Bengal), 490 km from Paradip (Odisha), and 520 km from Dhamara (Odisha).

A total of 56 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been positioned in five states, including Odisha and West Bengal, in view of the cyclone.

There are 20 teams in Odisha, out of which one is in reserve, while of the 17 in West Bengal, 13 are in reserve. Apart from the NDRF, the respective state disaster response forces are also deployed in these areas.

Both, the Odisha and West Bengal governments, have said they have made arrangements for evacuation of two million people from the areas to be hit by Cyclone Dhana. As a precautionary measure, the West Bengal and Odisha governments have closed all educational institutions and offices for three days since Wednesday.

(Inputs from PTI)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.