On Thursday night, Cyclone Dana made landfall on the Odisha coast, spreading across coastal areas like Bhadrak, Kendrapara, and Balasore, with wind speeds between 100 to 110 km/h. The storm has significantly impacted not only Odisha but also parts of West Bengal and is expected to affect areas of Bihar and Jharkhand as well. Here’s a comprehensive look at the precautions taken, the impact on agriculture, and upcoming forecasts for the affected regions.
Cyclone Dana Expected to Weaken
Cyclone Dana is expected to gradually weaken over the next six hours. In West Bengal, the cyclone's led to a tragic incident in South 24 Parganas district’s Patharpratima, where a person lost his life while working on a cable during the storm. In Odisha, the government evacuated approximately 5.8 lakh residents and deployed 385 rescue teams, including personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), and Fire and Forest services.
Severe Waterlogging in Kolkata Due to Heavy Rainfall
Several parts of Kolkata experienced waterlogging as Cyclone Dana unleashed heavy rain, leading to the inundation of various city areas. The regional meteorological office in Alipore reported that Kolkata received over 100 mm of rain within the last 24 hours by 11:30 am on Friday. The Indian Railways has announced that all trains will continue to operate as scheduled, with the exception of those that were previously canceled due to the effects of Cyclone Dana in the impacted states.
Heavy Rain and Temperature Drops in Bihar and Jharkhand
The IMD has issued alerts for heavy rains and gusty winds across Bihar and Jharkhand as Dana continues to move northward. Bihar has seen cloud cover in more than 34 districts, with temperatures dropping by 1-6 degrees Celsius. Heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected in over 24 districts, with the highest impact anticipated in regions like Kosi and Seemanchal. Jharkhand’s Kolhan region is under an ‘orange’ alert, indicating heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and possible thunderstorms.
Rainfall to Persist in Bengal Until Evening
The Regional Meteorological Office in Kolkata has forecasted that heavy rain will persist across South Bengal districts throughout the day, with an expected decrease in intensity by evening. The state administration reported that Cyclone Dana’s landfall had its greatest impact in coastal Sundarbans regions such as Namkhana, Sagar Islands, and Patharpratima. These areas experienced severe winds that uprooted numerous trees.
Landfall and Impact of Cyclone Dana
The severe cyclonic storm moved northwest at a speed of 15 km/h before making landfall between Bhitarkanika in Kendrapara district and Dhamra in Bhadrak district. Director General of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, noted that while the cyclone is set to weaken as it moves further inland, it has still triggered severe weather conditions across Odisha and neighboring states. Restoration work started swiftly as the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) mobilized to clear fallen trees and restore road access across affected districts. The Odisha Higher Education Minister noted extensive damage to electrical infrastructure, and teams are working hard to restore power and ensure connectivity.
Extensive Evacuation Efforts
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi reported that close to 6,00,000 people were evacuated from vulnerable areas. Balasore, a district particularly susceptible to flooding, witnessed the highest evacuation rate, with nearly 173,000 residents relocated to safety. Cyclone shelters have been equipped with essential resources including food, water, and medical supplies, ensuring safety and comfort for evacuees.
Other districts evacuation numbers include:
- Mayurbhanj: 100,000 people
- Bhadrak: 75,000 people
- Jajpur: 58,000 people
- Kendrapara: 46,000 people
The impact of the storm has also affected important cultural sites, including the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri and the Sun Temple at Konark. Authorities have taken measures to protect these sites, including temporarily restricting visitor access to ensure safety. Tourists have also been advised to stay away from nearby beaches and shorelines until the weather stabilizes.
Advisory for Paddy Farmers
Cyclone Dana brought heavy rainfall and strong winds to West Bengal, which has led to waterlogging and substantial damage to harvestable crops, particularly paddy and potatoes. With the festive season of Kali Puja and Diwali approaching, there are concerns over potential price hikes for essential food items due to these crop losses. The National Rice Research Institute (NRRI) has issued an advisory for paddy farmers. Recommendations include keeping drainage channels open to avoid waterlogging, protecting harvested rice under tarpaulin sheets, and drying grains immediately after the rain stops to retain quality. With these measures, farmers can minimize losses and preserve their produce.
Inputs by Agencies
Image Source: Multiple Agencies
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