Cyclone Dana highlights: Elderly woman dies at Odisha shelter

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday said that one person had died in the state due to Cyclone Dana, while the administration evacuated approximately 2.16 lakh people from low-lying areas for safety.

After monitoring the situation overnight at the state secretariat, Banerjee conducted a review meeting, directing officials to ensure that relief supplies reach all those impacted by the cyclone.

"Only one person died in this natural disaster. The man died at his residence while conducting some cable-related work. It is quite unfortunate. The post-mortem examination will give us a clear picture. If required, we (state government) will help the family," Banerjee said

The victim was identified as being from the Parthapratima block in South 24 Parganas district.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday commended health worker Sibani Mandal for her dedicated service during Cyclone Dana, which made landfall in the state earlier in the day. Majhi acknowledged ASHA worker Mandal's efforts as she carried several people to a cyclone shelter amid heavy rain, including a paralytic woman whom she transported one-and-a-half kilometres from her village in Rajnagar.

A video showcasing Mandal’s brave actions quickly went viral, leading the Press Information Bureau (PIB) of Odisha to feature it on social media, applauding her commitment.

“Hats off to our #Narishakti! ASHA worker Sibani Mandal from Khasmunda village of Rajnagar Block in #Kendrapara, #Odisha evacuated an elderly woman, carrying on her shoulder to a #Cyclone shelter [sic],” read PIB's post.

Cyclone Dana live updates: Severe Cyclone Dana avoided causing large-scale destruction in West Bengal, unlike previous storms such as Amphan and Bulbul, news agency PTI reported.

However, it breached embankments and unleashed heavy rains, resulting in significant property damage in the southern regions. This situation kept the administration on high alert even after the storm passed on Friday morning.

During an administrative review meeting following the cyclone, chief minister Mamata Banerjee reported one fatality related to the storm, despite the evacuation of approximately 216,000 people from low-lying areas beforehand. Banerjee, who stayed overnight at the state secretariat to monitor the cyclone's effects, instructed officials to ensure that relief supplies reached all affected individuals.

The Met Office on Friday warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall in several south Bengal districts, including Kolkata, as the severe cyclone 'Dana' weakened into a cyclonic storm after completing the landfall process in neighbouring Odisha.

Heavy rain lashed several areas of coastal Odisha on Friday under the impact of severe cyclonic storm Dana that made landfall between Dhamra and Bhitarkanika in the state.

Cyclone Dana live updates: An elderly woman passed away at a cyclone shelter in Odisha's Kendrapara district, officials reported on Friday. Hemalata Nayak, an 82-year-old resident of Bankual village, is believed to have died of a cardiac arrest on Thursday night while at the cyclone shelter located at Kalyan Mandap Dangamal, part of the Dangamal gram panchayat in the Rajnagar block of Kendrapara district.

Cyclone Dana live updates: Many areas of Kolkata faced severe waterlogging on Friday morning as cyclone Dana brought heavy rainfall, inundating sections of the city. According to the regional Met office in Alipore, Kolkata recorded over 100 mm of rainfall by 11:30 am on Friday in the preceding 24 hours.

Cyclone Dana live updates: Indian Railways announced on Friday that all trains will operate according to schedule, except for those previously canceled due to the impact of Cyclone Dana in affected states. According to the railway ministry, trains arriving from the south (Visakhapatnam side) to Bhubaneswar and Howrah will continue to run as usual.

Cyclone Dana live updates: As Cyclone Dana struck the Odisha coast early Friday morning, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, emphasised the need for all possible measures to safeguard lives and property in the impacted regions.

Cyclone Dana live updates: Rainfall affected parts of Jharkhand on Friday due to the cyclonic storm Dana, according to a Met Department official. The Kolhan region, which includes West Singhbhum, Seraikela-Kharswan, and East Singhbhum districts, has experienced light to moderate rainfall since Thursday night. Other areas of the state are seeing cloudy conditions accompanied by intermittent drizzle.

Cyclone Dana live updates: Kolkata airport in West Bengal resumed flight operations at 8 am on Friday following the landfall of cyclone Dana on the Odisha coast, according to officials. Moreover, train services in the southern section of the Sealdah Division under Eastern Railway restarted at 10 am after being cancelled due to the cyclone.

Cyclone Dana live updates: Odisha chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced the successful achievement of the state's ‘zero casualty mission.’ He said no loss of life or injuries resulting from the severe cyclonic storm Dana, which made landfall on the coast Thursday night.

Cyclone Dana live updates: Restoration and relief efforts have commenced after Cyclone Dana made landfall on the Odisha coast in the early hours of Friday. NDRF teams have been clearing uprooted trees in various villages of Dhamra following the cyclone's impact. Residents of Dhamra, Bhadrak, and nearby coastal areas in Odisha experienced rough seas, strong winds, and heavy rainfall due to the storm.

Flight operations at Bhubaneswar's Biju Patnaik International Airport, which was shut due to cyclonic storm Dana as part of precautionary measures resumed services at 8 am on Friday after the cyclone made landfall today on Odisha's coast, airport authorities said.

Flight operations also resumed at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata at 8 am after it was closed for flight operations yesterday. (ANI)

Cyclone Dana has made landfall in Odisha, causing heavy rain and strong winds in several regions. The storm landed with a wind speed of around 110 kmph between Bhitarkanika in the Kendrapara district and Dhamra in Bhadrak. The state is battered by the powerful severe cyclonic storm, and several visuals capturing the situation have made their way onto social media. Read more.

Cyclone Dana live updates: Flight operations at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata restarted at 8 am today after being suspended yesterday evening at 6 pm due to Cyclone Dana.

Cyclone Dana live updates: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that Cyclone Dana is moving north-northwest at 10 kmh and is centered over north coastal Odisha, about 30 km north-northwest of Dhamra. The landfall process is ongoing and is expected to continue for the next 1-2 hours.

Cyclone Dana live updates: Additional district magistrate Shantanu Mohanty of Bhadrak said that vulnerable residents have been evacuated to cyclone shelters. He added that electricity and other services have been restored and teams from Fire Services, ODRAF, and NDRF are on the ground. A red alert has been issued for Bhadrak due to heavy rain, and he advised people to stay indoors.

Cyclone Dana live updates: Roads are blocked in the coastal villages of Dhamra in Bhadrak due to Cyclone Dana. Locals were seen clearing fallen trees, but some roads remain impassable and a few houses have also suffered damage.

Cyclone Dana live updates: Odisha chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi has started monitoring the post-landfall situation of Cyclone Dana at Rajiv Bhavan in Bhubaneswar

Cyclone Dana live updates: Flight operations at Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar will resume at 8 am, one hour earlier than previously scheduled. This announcement was made by Prasanna Pradhan, Airport Director Bhubaneswar.

Cyclone Dana live updates: As the IMD forecasts flash floods in 16 districts due to heavy rainfall from the cyclone, chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi assured that his government is fully prepared to address any challenges and has implemented measures to reduce potential impacts.

Majhi visited the control room at the special relief commissioner’s office, saying , “We are ready to face the situation. The water levels in the Hirakud reservoir and other locations are under constant monitoring and management.”

Cyclone Dana live updates: Several trees were uprooted due to gusty winds and heavy rain in the Bhadrak district of Odisha as the landfall process of Cyclone Dana continued in the early hours of Friday.

Cyclone Dana live updates: Heavy rainfall and strong winds persist across various areas of Odisha as the landfall process of Cyclone Dana continues. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that the cyclone is affecting multiple districts, leading to disruption.

Cyclone Dana live updates: A woman gave birth to a baby boy at Niali Hospital after being evacuated due to the approaching Cyclone Dana. The I&PR Department of Odisha shared this news in a post on X on Thursday.