NEW DELHI, Oct 23: A depression over the Bay of Bengal which has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm “Dana” on Wednesday, is likely to make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra port in Odisha early Friday.
Nearly 200 trains have been cancelled and educational institutions have been closed in vulnerable parts of West Bengal and Odisha as the two states brace for the landfall of Cyclone Dana in the early hours of October 25.
Umashankar Das, senior scientist at the regional meteorological centre in Bhubaneswar, said, “Based on the trajectory of the system, it is anticipated that Cyclone ‘Dana’ will make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapara district and Dhamra port in Bhadrak district.” During the landfall, a tidal surge of up to 2 metres is expected, with the cyclone reaching the coast at a wind velocity of 120 km/h, he said.
Advising fishermen not to venture into the sea from October 23 to 25, the Met Office warned that wind speed is likely to reach 60 kmph along and off Odisha-West Bengal coasts and gradually increase.
In view of the cyclone, flight operation at Kolkata Airport will be suspended from 6 pm on October 24 till 6 am on October 25 as a precautionary measure while Eastern and South Eastern railways cancelled nearly 200 trains on October 24 and 25, in view of the cyclone.
The Eastern Railway will not operate any local train from Sealdah station from 8 pm on Thursday till 10 am on Friday in view of the cyclonic storm ‘Dana’, an official said.
The step was taken as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of train passengers in the Sealdah division that serves six districts of West Bengal – North 24 Praganas, South 24 Praganas, Nadia, Murshidabad, Kolkata and Howrah.
The Met warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall with extremely heavy downpours in isolated places in the south Bengal districts of North and South 24 Parganas, Purba and Paschim Medinipur, Jhargram, Kolkata, Howrah and Hooghly districts.
Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, said more than 5,000 relief centres have been set up and they are expecting evacuation of around 10 lakh people. While talking to the media, Pujari said, “This was the last review meeting to take stock of the situation and assess the preparedness at the grassroots level. As of now, more than 5000 relief centres have already been set up with all modern facilities to provide drinking water, food, milk to children, and medicine to the ailing people. We are expecting around 10 lakh evacuation.”
He also highlighted that the telecom department assured that the telecom network won’t collapse at any place. “Tata Energy has assured us to provide us with round-the-clock power supply and in case of any disruption, we have made arrangements for backup power supply,” the Revenue and Disaster Management Minister said.
The Indian Coast Guard said in a statement that it was on high alert, with its dedicated personnel and assets ready to provide assistance, rescue and relief. “The ICG has mobilised its vessels and aircraft, positioning them strategically to respond swiftly to any emergency situations,” the statement said.
Coast Guard personnel are working in coordination with the local administration and disaster management authorities in West Bengal and Odisha to ensure a coordinated and effective response, it added. The ICG deployed helicopters and remote operating stations at Haldia in West Bengal and Paradip in Odisha to broadcast regular weather warnings and safety advisories to fishermen and mariners.
In West Bengal, the NDRF has deployed 13 teams so far to respond to any situation. Authorities of the Kolkata airport have started preparations to tackle any situation arising out of a possible cyclonic storm. The standard operating procedures such as inspection of the airport infrastructure and the drainage system, checking and servicing of all installations are being carried out, airport officials said.
(Manas Dasgupta)