Cyclone Dana is expected to make its landfall on the night of October 24 between Sagar Island in Bengal and Odisha, mobilising the South 24-Parganas district administration to implement safety measures in anticipation of possible damage to the region, particularly the Kapilmuni Temple.

A dedicated team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and civil defence personnel, along with officials from other departments, will be stationed around the temple in Sagar Island to respond to emergencies.

“The threat to Sagar Island is significant, and we have devised an extensive plan to protect the island, its residents, pilgrims and the Kapilmuni Temple. Our focus is to minimise damage and ensure swift recovery,” said Sumit Gupta, district magistrate of South 24-Parganas.

The NDRF and civil defence personnel will be on high alert for the next three days, with focus on the temple and surrounding areas. Equipment such as JCB machines, sandbags, wooden poles and geo-sheets have been arranged by the irrigation department to address potential storm damage.

As a precaution, the district administration has ordered shops near the temple and along the beach to remain shut from Wednesday until further notice.

“We are also urging pilgrims not to approach the sea starting Wednesday,” added Gupta.

Hotels and guesthouses near the Ganganagar Beach have been instructed to cancel bookings and suspend new arrivals until the weather improves.

The district administration has been coordinating closely with the Met department that has forecast windspeeds of 85 to 110kmph. A Met official said the windspeed might increase to 120kmph, which would make Dana a "severe cyclonic storm".

Rainfall, expected to start on Wednesday and intensify into a deep depression, could cause floods across south Bengal. High waves from the cyclonic wind pose a significant concern for earthen dykes in the Sunderbans delta, with 65 identified as being "at risk".

“At least 17 of these dykes are in critical shape, and repairs are underway on a war footing,” said a senior irrigation official.

On Tuesday, senior district officials met to review the disaster preparedness plan.

Sundarban development minister Bankim Hazra said: “We have learnt a lot from past experiences, and are taking all necessary steps to minimise damage and inconvenience.”

Officials are also working on the safety and recovery plans for Mousuni and Ghoramara islands, particularly vulnerable from prior cyclone damages.

Ferry services across the Sunderbans will be suspended from October 24 to 25. Evacuations from small islands with limited connectivity are on.

Schools will be shut from October 23 to 26 in North and South 24-Parganas, East and West Midnapore, Jhargram, Bankura, Hooghly, Howrah and Calcutta. A complete ban on fishing activities has been clamped.