'Dana' knocks in Odisha, government on alert mode, heavy rain will start in many districts from this evening

Bhubaneswar: The deep pressure area over the Bay of Bengal took the form of cyclonic storm 'Dana' on Wednesday morning. Along with this, starting relief and rescue, the Odisha government has intensified the work of evacuating people from the coastal areas. Besides, 288 rescue teams have been deployed in sensitive areas of 14 districts. Apart from this, the state government has deployed 19 teams of NDRF, 51 teams of ODRF and 178 teams of fire service to deal with any emergency. 40 additional teams have also been deployed in the affected districts. Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force airlifted 150 NDRF personnel and relief material to Bhubaneswar in two aircraft on Wednesday morning.

Due to cyclonic storm 'Dana', Angul, Puri, Nayagarh, Khordha, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Balasore, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Ganjam and Mayurbhanj districts of the state have been put on alert. The state government has also identified more than 3,000 sensitive villages in 14 districts, especially in the coastal region, from where people are being evacuated.

10,60,336 people evacuated safely

According to the latest bulletin of IMD, the deep depression formed over the east-central Bay of Bengal moved towards west-northwest at a speed of 18 kilometers per hour and transformed into cyclonic storm 'Dana'. It was about 560 km south-east of Paradip (Odisha) and 630 km south-southeast of Sagar Island (West Bengal) at 5:30 am today. About 10,60,336 people were evacuated safely in the state before Cyclone Dana made landfall this morning. “The cyclone is very likely to move north-westwards and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over north-west Bay of Bengal by the morning of October 24,” the IMD said. “From the night of October 24 to the morning of October 25, it will cross the coasts of North Odisha and West Bengal between Puri and Sagar Island, during which the wind speed can reach 120 kilometers per hour.”

There will be heavy rain in many districts from this evening

According to IMD's warning, cyclone 'Dana' will cause heavy rains in Odisha. Heavy rain is very likely to begin in some areas of Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Puri and Khordha from this evening. After this, there is a possibility of heavy to very heavy rain in many areas on 24th and 25th October. Balasore, Mayurbhanj and Jajpur districts may receive more than 21 cm of rain.

Appeal to people to go to relief camps

Earlier, due to the alert given regarding the cyclone, all the fishermen returned to the coast by Tuesday evening. Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari has appealed to the people to cooperate with the administration and go to relief camps by this evening. He said that 10 lakh people will be brought to camps before the cyclone crosses the coast. At the same time, former CM of the state and Leader of Opposition in Odisha Assembly Naveen Patnaik has also asked people to take precautions regarding the cyclone. “Our people have bravely faced many cyclones in the past as well,” he said. Let us take every precaution to stay safe this time too. It is very important to take care of yourself and your loved ones.”

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CM gave instructions for rescue operations

Due to the circumstances, earlier Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi also directed all the MLAs to visit their respective assembly constituencies and help in rescue and relief operations. The CM has also deployed nine ministers in the districts most likely to be affected by the cyclone. IMD has expressed the possibility of cyclone 'Dana' reaching between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port on Friday morning.

(with agency input)