Friday, 25 October 2024
Friday, 25 October 2024
Cyclone Dana made landfall on the Odisha coast between Bhitarkanika and Dhamra on the night of October 24-25, unleashing powerful winds and heavy rainfall.
With prompt evacuations and robust disaster preparedness, Odisha reported no casualties, though Bengal mourns one loss.
Recovery is underway across affected regions.
Storm impact is minimal in Kendrapara district
Odisha’s Kendrapara district avoided severe impact from cyclone Dana, which brought tidal surges but spared lives and major property damage. Local authorities confirmed minimal structural losses, though some coastal villages experienced water intrusion.
The Bhitarkanika National Park, where Dana made landfall, saw limited impact. Officials noted that with precautionary measures in place, including preemptive evacuations, the area weathered the storm without human casualties. Restoration of road access was underway, thanks to ODRAF teams removing fallen trees along the major routes.
Local communities show resilience
In Kendrapara’s Bagapatia colony, residents displaced by sea erosion faced flooding from tidal surges. But resilience remained high, with locals expressing relief that Dana spared their lives and homes from severe damage.
Many expressed hope for a quick return to normalcy, while officials mobilised resources to restore basic infrastructure across affected villages.
Heavy rainfall across coastal Odisha following Dana
Cyclone Dana triggered substantial rainfall across coastal districts in Odisha. Chandbali in Bhadrak recorded 158.6 mm, while Rajkanika in Kendrapara received 156 mm over 24 hours. Heavy rains led to isolated flooding, especially in agriculture fields.
The IMD forecast extended rainfall in Bhadrak, Balasore, and Kendrapara, placing these districts on red and orange alerts. Local authorities remain vigilant, managing both waterlogged areas and the potential for further disruptions.
Bengal experiences cyclone Dana’s impact
Cyclone Dana claimed one life in West Bengal and led to the evacuation of 2,16,000 residents from low-lying areas. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee confirmed the fatality occurred at South 24 Parganas’ Patharpratima during a domestic repair task related to the cyclone’s damage.
Heavy rainfall caused severe waterlogging in Calcutta and its surrounding areas. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation deployed suction trucks and pumps across the city to expedite drainage, especially in medical facilities and high-traffic areas affected by floodwater.
Calcutta faces waterlogging woes amid cyclonic storm
Calcutta streets were awash on Friday as over 100 mm of rain inundated the city. Key areas such as Bhawanipur, Hazra, and Park Circus experienced knee-deep water, creating traffic bottlenecks and concerns over waterborne diseases.
Efforts to drain accumulated water faced delays because of high tides in the Hooghly River. Despite being a working day, many residents stayed indoors, and the civic body deployed additional resources to expedite drainage across affected regions.
Train and flight services resume in Odisha and Bengal
Cyclone Dana’s passage allowed for a gradual resumption of transportation across Odisha and West Bengal. Bhubaneshwar and Calcutta airport resumed normal operations early Friday, with trains resuming in affected areas later in the day.
Though some routes remain suspended, both the East Coast Railway and Eastern Railway are restoring services incrementally. Hundreds of trains were cancelled on Thursday as a precaution against Dana.
Cyclone Dana weakens, moves inland
By Friday morning, Dana had weakened from a severe cyclonic storm to a deep depression. The IMD reported Dana’s trajectory towards northwest Odisha, with further weakening expected over the next six hours.
The storm system maintained a wind speed of 110 kmph upon initial landfall but has since lessened in intensity, reducing its threat to inland areas. Authorities remain on alert, monitoring potential effects on interior districts as Dana’s remnants continue to dissipate.
(With inputs from PTI)
