Cyclone Dana Highlights: NDRF deploys 56 teams in five states

Bhubaneswar airport to suspend operations from 5 pm on October 24 to 9 am on October 25 in view of cyclone Dana, reports PTI.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi convened a meeting to assess the state's readiness for Cyclone Dana and announced that evacuation efforts are in progress, with the goal of relocating 90 per cent of residents by 11 AM the following day, and noted that between 3-4 lakh people have already been evacuated.

"State government is taking cyclonic storm 'Dana' very seriously. Arrangements are in place for the affected districts, including Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore, Jagatsinghpur, and Puri," he said, according to PTI.

The Odisha government has put emergency measures in place to minimise the damage from the Cyclone Dana. But the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) recommends the following steps to prepare for a cyclone emergency.

Pre-Cyclone preparations

1. Inspect your house and secure loose tiles.

2. Repair doors and windows.

3. Remove dead branches or dying trees.

4. Anchor removable objects (lumber piles, tin sheets, bricks, etc.).

5. Keep wooden boards ready to board glass windows. Read more

Dana live updates: Leader of the Opposition in Odisha Assembly, Naveen Patnaik has urged people not to be scared of Cyclone ‘Dana’ but to take necessary precautions for safety.

"Odisha has faced numerous cyclones in the past and our people have bravely weathered them. Let’s take every precaution to stay safe this time too. Caring for ourselves and our loved ones is essential," Patnaik said.

Cyclone Dana live updates: In view of Cyclone Dana, Kolkata airport will suspend flight operations for 15 hours from 6 pm on Thursday, PTI reports, citing an official.

The Odisha and West Bengal governments have said that they have made arrangements for evacuation of two million people from the areas to be hit by Cyclone Dhana, which is expected to make a landfall on Thursday late night or Friday earning morning between Bhitarkanika National Park-Dhamra port in Odisha and Sagar Island in West Bengal. Read more.

Cyclone Dana live updates: IMD Scientist Habibur Rahman Biswas tells ANI, "Cyclonic Storm Dana is positioned over the East-Central Bay of Bengal and moved northwestwards as of 11:30 hrs IST on October 23."

He further added that the central location of the cyclone is approximately 570 km from Sagar Island (West Bengal), 490 km from Paradip (Odisha), and 520 km from Dhamara (Odisha). "Cyclone Dana is likely to move northwestwards and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by the early morning of October 24."

Parts of Kendrapara and Bhadrak districts in Odisha experienced rain and adverse weather conditions on Wednesday afternoon with the Indian Meterological Centre (IMD) saying that the outer bands of Cyclone ‘Dana’ has begun to affect the eastern coastline.

The IMD has predicted 5 days of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning in parts of Andhra Pradesh from October 23. It forecast thunderstorms in isolated parts of North Coastal Andhra Pradesh (NCAP) and Yanam between October 23 and 27, according to PTI.

Cyclone Dana live updates: Cyclonic storm ‘Dana’ is set to bring heavy rainfall in several south Bengal districts, including Kolkata, the IMD has said.

Eastern and South Eastern railways cancelled over 150 trains on October 24 and 25, in view of the cyclone, reports PTI.

Cyclone Dana live updates: The Eastern Railway will not operate any local train from Sealdah station from 8 pm on Thursday till 10 am on Friday in view of the cyclonic storm 'Dana', PTI reports, citing officials.

The step has been taken as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of train passengers in the Sealdah division that serves six districts of West Bengal - North 24 Praganas, South 24 Praganas, Nadia, Murshidabad, Kolkata and Howrah.

Cyclone Dana live updates: The Odisha Civil Services Preliminary Examination (2023-24), scheduled to be held on October 27, has been postponed in view of the impending cyclonic storm. The next date for the exam will be notified after 7 days.

Cyclone Dana live updates: The Indian Meterological Department says that Cyclone ‘Dana’ is likely to make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra port in Odisha early on Friday.

Cyclone Dana live updates: Speaking on NDRF deployment ahead of the landfall of cyclone Dana, NDRF DIG Mohsen Shahidi tells ANI: " 20 teams deployed in Odisha, 13 in West Bengal with 4 teams kept in reserve, preparations made in Andhra Pradesh's Vizag and 9 teams in Jharkhand...We are expecting that maximum evacuation will be done today before landfall of cyclone tomorrow..."

Cyclone Dana live updates: In preparation for the anticipated landfall of Cyclone Dana on the coasts of Odisha and West Bengal, two Indian Air Force aircraft transported 150 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel and relief supplies to Bhubaneswar on Wednesday. An IL 76 and an AN 32, arriving from Bhatinda, landed in Bhubaneswar early in the morning.

Cyclone Dana live updates: More than 200 trains have been cancelled in Odisha, a state prone to cyclones, and officials said that preparations are underway to evacuate people living in vulnerable areas.

Cyclone Dana live updates: Forest officials said that the mangrove forest, covering nearly 200 square km in Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha's Kendrapara district would help mitigate the impact of the impending Cyclone Dana if it makes landfall in the area. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast, Cyclone Dana is expected to make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra port in Bhadrak district on Thursday night or Friday morning as a severe cyclonic storm, with wind speeds of 100-110 km/h.

Cyclone Dana live updates: The Indian Coast Guard said that it is on high alert and has mobilised its vessels and aircraft to respond swiftly to any contingencies arising from the cyclone, which is expected to bring torrential rain to the two neighboring states.

Cyclone Dana live updates: Umashankar Das, a senior scientist at the regional meteorological centre in Bhubaneswar said that based on the system's trajectory, Cyclone Dana is expected to make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapara district and Dhamra port in Bhadrak district. During the landfall, a tidal surge of up to 2 metres is anticipated, with the cyclone reaching the coast at wind speeds of 120 km/h. Das cautioned that low-lying areas in Kendrapara, Bhadrak, and Balasore districts are likely to be inundated and recommended that the government evacuate residents from these regions.

Cyclone Dana live updates: Former chief minister of Odisha and BJD chief Naveen Patnaik delivered a message to the people of Odisha, urging them not to panic upon hearing about the cyclone. He said that they have successfully faced several cyclones together in the past and that the state's effective disaster management policy will help mitigate the impact. Patnaik emphasised the importance of remaining alert, prioritising safety, and fully cooperating with the administration. He also called on all elected representatives to support the people during this challenging time and provide assistance, expressing his firm belief that together they will overcome this cyclone, just as they have in the past.

Cyclone Dana live updates: The IMD said that Cyclone Dana is expected to make landfall near Bhitarkanika and Dhamra in coastal Odisha as a severe cyclonic storm, with wind speeds of 100-120 km/h, from Thursday night to Friday morning.

Cyclone Dana live updates: The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) announced on Wednesday that Cyclone ‘Dana’ is expected to make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra port in Odisha early on Friday.

Cyclone Dana live updates: As Cyclone ‘Dana’ formed over the Bay of Bengal on Wednesday, the Odisha government sped up the evacuation of people from coastal areas and sent 288 rescue teams to vulnerable spots in 14 districts, officials said. The state has already deployed 19 NDRF teams, 51 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force teams, and 178 Fire Services teams, with 40 more teams sent to affected areas. On Wednesday morning, the Indian Air Force airlifted 150 NDRF personnel and relief supplies to Bhubaneswar using two aircraft.

Cyclone Dana live updates: In preparation for the expected landfall of Cyclone Dana on the Odisha and West Bengal coasts, two Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft on Wednesday transported 150 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel and relief supplies to Bhubaneswar, according to an IAF official.

Cyclone Dana live updates: More than 150 express and passenger trains running through South Eastern Railway jurisdiction have been cancelled in view of the possibility of formation of a severe cyclonic storm which is likely to hit Odisha-West Bengal coasts on October 25.