How Odisha, West Bengal are preparing for Cyclone Dana – Firstpost

West Bengal and Odisha are bracing for the maximum impact of Cyclone Dana as it is forecast to make landfall between Puri and Sagar Island on the intervening night of October 24-25.

With a wind speed of 100-110 kilometers per hour and a gust of 120 kilometers per hour, “Dana” is forecast to make landfall on the shores of West Bengal and northern Odisha.

Here’s how the two states are preparing for the storm.

Coast Guard, rescue teams on high alert

According to Additional Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Padmanav Behera, the Odisha government has already deployed 10 teams of the National Disaster Response Force and 17 teams of the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force to the 10 districts expected to be affected.

The fire brigade will move to the fourteen districts most likely to be affected. The headquarters in Bhubaneswar conducted practice exercises. To monitor and control the cyclone situation, the state has also deployed six senior IAS officers to six districts – Bhadrak, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Baleswar and Mayurbhanj. These officers have previous expertise in managing cyclones while serving as collectors.

In West Bengal, the NDRF has so far deployed 13 teams to respond to any situation.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi urged all MLAs to stay back in their constituencies.

In light of the storm, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) said it was on high alert and had deployed its ships and aircraft to respond quickly to any emergency situation. “The ICG has mobilized and strategically positioned its ships and aircraft to respond quickly to any emergency situation,” a statement said.

According to reports, the ICG has taken a number of actions including setting up remote control stations and helicopters in Haldia and Paradip to regularly broadcast weather warnings and safety advisories to fishermen and mariners.

It was further stated that the ICG staff is working with the local government and disaster management authorities.

Doctors have been recalled to their respective medical facilities and their leaves have been revoked. The Health Ministry has also directed district officials to ensure adequate supply of medicines such as anti-poison injections and anti-diarrhea medicines.

Also read: How did Cyclone Dana, which is expected to hit coastal Bengal and Odisha, get its name?

The evacuation is underway

In Odisha, which is expected to be the worst hit, around 800 cyclone shelters have been prepared so that people can be evacuated from places at risk. In addition to other necessities, food, water, medicine and electricity are also available.

More than 500 temporary shelters have also been prepared, including in educational institutions.

Following its earlier plan to evacuate citizens from high-risk areas to ensure “zero casualties”, the Odisha government has directed district administrations to start evacuating residents.

“Priority will be given to shifting pregnant women, children and the elderly first. In addition to over 800 multi-purpose cyclone shelters, the government has prepared another 500 temporary shelters in school and college buildings. We are providing all basic amenities, including cooked food, at the shelters,” State Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari told reporters.

Addressing a press conference, CM Mamata Banerjee said the state has already started evacuation efforts in low-lying areas and is ready to tackle the emergency.

Due to the impact of the cyclone, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has already started making plans to deal with the city’s expected heavy rains on Thursday and Friday.

To discuss backup preparations, authorities met with municipal commissioner Dhabal Jain.

Also read: Cyclone Dana hits Odisha-Bengal coast: How devastating is it expected to be?

Schools, national parks, stadium closed

Schools would be closed from Wednesday to Friday in up to fourteen districts of Odisha.

Moreover, the state announced that two of its national parks, Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapara district and Similipal Tiger Reserve in Mayurbhanj district, would be closed to visitors and tourists from October 23 to 25.

The Athletics Federation of India on Tuesday said the 39th National Junior Athletics Championships, scheduled to be held at the Kalinga Stadium from October 25 to 30, had been postponed due to Cyclone Dana.

The West Bengal government on Tuesday announced that schools and colleges in eight districts will remain closed from October 23 to 26 as a precautionary measure.

“From October 23 to 26, schools will remain closed in seven districts as a precaution. We don’t want to take any risks. Schools and colleges are sometimes used as shelter for people,” Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, adding that those living in low-lying areas of coastal districts have been asked to move.

The Archaeological Survey of India has announced that all monuments and museums will be closed for two days.

Trains cancelled

A total of 197 trains to Odisha and West Bengal were canceled due to Cyclone Dana.

Numerous mail and express trains connecting West Bengal and Odisha with other regions of the country have been canceled by South Eastern Railway.

Of the canceled trains, 103 were traveling eastwards across Odisha state, while 94 were traveling southwards.

As a precautionary measure, five trains from Assam and five trains towards Assam were canceled on Wednesday. The canceled trains are 12552 Kamakhya-Bengaluru AC Superfast Express; 12514 Silchar-Secunderabad Express; 22504 Dibrugarh-Kanyakumari Vivek Express; 12509 Bengaluru-Guwahati Express; 22503 Kanyakumari-Dibrugarh Vivek Express.

Authorities at the Kolkata airport have started preparations to tackle any crisis that could arise from an approaching cyclonic storm that could hit the coastal areas of Odisha and West Bengal.

According to a senior official who spoke to Indian Express, standard operational protocols are being followed, including inspecting the drainage system and airport infrastructure, as well as inspecting and maintaining all systems.

The West Bengal Chief Minister advised tourists from the state, who are visiting Puri in Odisha, to return home.

Ferry, fishing activities suspended

West Bengal has issued ‘high alert’ in eight districts – South 24 Paraganas, North 24 Paraganas, Purba Medinipur, Paschim Medinipur, Jhargram, Bankura, Hooghly Howrah and Kolkata.

Ferry services will remain suspended during this period. It is learned that fishing communities have been warned against going out to sea through “various channels”, including village heads.

Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapada, Mayurbhanj, Jagatsinghpur and Puri districts are expected to be the worst affected in Odisha. Flash floods may result from the heavy rains of the cyclonic storm in other nearby districts.

With input from authorities