Severe Cyclone storm “Dana” makes landfall in Odisha coast; Heavy rain batters several districts

New Delhi: Severe Cyclonic storm “Dana” made landfall on Friday early morning hours on the Odisha coast between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port, with wind speeds reaching up to 110 kmph.

As per India Meteorological Department (IMD), Dhana is now moving across the northern Odisha and West Bengal coasts, with wind speed of 12Kmph, leading to heavy rainfall in several costal districts.

“The severe cyclonic storm “Dana” moved north-northwestwards with a speed of 12 kmph and lay centred over north coastal Odisha, about 15 km north of Dhamara and 30 km north-northwest of Habalikhati nature camp (Bhitarkanika),” IMD posted on X.

It is likely to move nearly West-Northwestwards across North Odisha and weaken gradually into a cyclonic storm by the forenoon of today.

Several roads were blocked in Bhadrak district of Odisha after trees were uprooted following strong winds and downpours.

The cyclone maintained its intensity as a severe storm for three to four hours before weakening into a cyclonic storm.

Alongside the strong winds, heavy rainfall has been reported in Kendrapara and Bhadrak districts, with significant downpours continuing in Mayurbhanj, Cuttack, Jajpur, Balasore, and Jagatsinghpur districts and surrounding areas.

Local authorities are on high alert, implementing emergency response measures to safeguard residents in at-risk regions.

Chief Minister Mohan Majhi is actively monitoring the situation. Government sources said the full extent of damage due to the cyclone will be assessed once it dissipates.

As a precaution, Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) will halt operations from 5 pm on Thursday until 9 am on Friday. Flight operations at Kolkata airport will also be suspended for 15 hours from 6pm on Thursday.
ADM of Odisha’s Bhadrak district Shantanu Mohanty said that we have already evacuated the vulnerable people and they are in cyclone shelters.

“Electricity and other things have been restored. Fire Services, ODRF, and NDRF teams have been moved,” he said.

“There has been a red alert in Bhadrak as heavy rain is expected. We have conveyed the message to the people not to go out,” he added.

Some parts of Kolkata experienced a light spell of rain on Friday morning as Cyclone Dana approached.

Flight operations at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata have been impacted with the airport remaining closed from 6 pm.