The Odisha government on Tuesday (October 22, 2024) deployed disaster response forces and initiated preparation for evacuation of people in coastal districts, which are likely to be impacted by possible severe cyclonic storm Dana on October 24 and 25.
“The depression over eastcentral Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestwards with a speed of 7 km per hour, intensified into a deep depression and lay centred over the same region about 690 km southeast of Paradip (Odisha), 740 km south-southeast of Sagar Island (West Bengal) and 710 km south-southeast of Khepupara (Bangladesh),” said a bulletin issued by India Meteorological Department.
It further said, “It is very likely to move west-northwestwards and intensify into a cyclonic storm by October 23 over eastcentral Bay of Bengal. Thereafter, continuing to move northwestwards, it is very likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over northwest Bay of Bengal by morning of October 24 and cross north Odisha and West Bengal coasts between Puri and Sagar Island during night of October 24 to morning of October 25 as a severe cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 100-110 kmph gusting 120 kmph.”
According to State government sources, all preparations were being made anticipating that the the landfall might take place in Bhadrak’s Dhamra area.
As many 450 fire personnel with tree cutters and modern light systems have been sent to different districts in 60 vehicles. As many as 51 units of Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force have been deployed. Additional 20 National Disaster Response Force teams are coming from Punjab’s Bhatinda. NDRF’s third battalion stationed at Mundali in Cuttack district has also started sending its personnel to 10 different districts.
“Cyclone shelters have been readied for people from vulnerable pockets. We have made arrangements of additional 500 temporary shelters, including schools and colleges. Cooked food and first aid kits will be made available there,” said Suresh Pujari, the State Revenue and Disaster Management Minister.
To handle power supply, two control rooms have been opened at the power distribution company level. About 10,000-strong additional manpower, 8,000 electric poles, 500 distribution transformers and 300 km of conductor and low tension cables have been kept ready at three places to address disruptions.
Leaves of all doctors have been cancelled. Drugs and health logistics have been mobilised at central locations to address health emergencies such as diarrhea and snakebites. Power backups have been ensured at the hospital level.
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Six senior IAS officers, who were collectors of the districts which are predicted to be impacted by the possible cyclone, have been sent to those districts for better coordination.
Meanwhile, all educational institutes have been shut down in 14 districts from October 23 to 25. President Droupadi Murmu was scheduled to visit Puri and Bhubaneswar from October 23 to 25. Her visits now stands postponed.
The East Coast Railway has cancelled 197 train services and diverted many services in view of the impending cyclone. The ECoR has activated a round-the-clock Disaster Management Cell at its headquarters Rail Sadan as well as at divisional headquarters in Khurda Road, Visakhapatnam, and Sambalpur. These teams are dedicated to early restoration of train services and railway infrastructure.
Published - October 22, 2024 05:04 pm IST
