Cyclone Dana: Heavy Rain and Evacuations as Landfall Approaches in Odisha and Bengal

Cyclone Dana continues to wreak havoc on India's eastern coast as authorities brace for its expected landfall tonight between Bhitarkanika and Dhamra in Odisha. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of severe weather, with winds reaching up to 120 kmph and heavy rains pounding both Odisha and West Bengal.

In response to the cyclone, Odisha has already evacuated over 300,000 residents, with plans to move an additional 700,000 to safer locations. The state government has classified districts like Kendrapara, Bhadrak, and Balasore as high-risk zones. In West Bengal, more than 114,000 people have been relocated to shelters, as districts like North and South 24 Parganas, Kolkata, and Hooghly brace for heavy rainfall.

The IMD reports that Cyclone Dana is currently 210 km southeast of Paradip, and its impact will continue through Friday, with airports in Kolkata and Bhubaneswar suspending operations until then. Over 500 trains have been canceled across the two states.

The Indian Navy and other armed forces have prepared for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations, deploying teams and essential supplies. Meanwhile, fishermen have been warned to avoid the seas, with rough conditions expected to worsen.

Both states have mobilized rescue personnel and established control rooms to coordinate relief efforts.