Kolkata Prepares for Cyclone Dana's Arrival

As Cyclone Dana intensifies and draws closer to the eastern coast of India, Kolkata remains on high alert in preparation for severe weather conditions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has reported that Cyclone Dana has strengthened into a severe cyclonic storm, currently positioned about 200 kilometers southeast of the coast. Expected to move north-northwestward, the cyclone is forecasted to make landfall between Puri in Odisha and Sagar Island in West Bengal by early Friday morning.

Wind speeds are projected to escalate significantly, reaching between 100 to 120 kilometers per hour along the coast of Odisha and West Bengal. IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra warned that these strong winds could result in heavy to very heavy rainfall, posing significant risks to the region. The impact of Cyclone Dana is anticipated to be most severe in East Midnapore, where authorities have already begun evacuating residents.

In response to the impending storm, approximately 23,000 individuals have been relocated to disaster shelters, with special provisions made for pregnant women to be transferred to nearby hospitals. The cyclone’s approach has also led to the suspension of flight operations at Kolkata Airport for 15 hours, starting at 6 PM on October 24, to ensure the safety of passengers and staff amid expected turbulent weather conditions.

The cyclone, which is currently around 570 kilometers from Sagar Island and 490 kilometers from Paradip, is expected to initiate the landfall process starting from the night of October 24 and continuing until the morning of October 25. During this period, the maximum wind speed is predicted to reach approximately 120 kilometers per hour, which could lead to significant disruption in the affected areas.

To bolster disaster response efforts, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed 56 teams across five states, including Odisha and West Bengal. In West Bengal, 17 teams have been stationed, with 13 kept in reserve to respond quickly to any emergencies. State authorities have also announced the closure of educational institutions and offices for three days as a precautionary measure, with plans to evacuate up to two million residents from high-risk zones.

As Kolkata prepares for the potential fallout of Cyclone Dana, the focus remains on public safety and effective disaster management to mitigate the impacts of this powerful storm.