Cyclone Dana News Highlights: Over 150 trains cancelled amid cyclone threat

“The government is preparing for Cyclone Dana. We have instructed all officials to take action against anybody black marketing food items and selling vegetables at higher prices,” says Odisha Food Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Krushna Chandra.

West Bengal is preparing for a severe cyclonic storm, with the state government implementing precautionary measures, including evacuations and closure of schools for the next few days to ensure the safety of people.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee assured people that the administration is ready to handle any emergency arising out of the impending cyclone.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has reported that a depression over the Bay of Bengal is likely to develop into a severe cyclonic storm which may reach the West Bengal-Odisha coasts in the early hours of October 25. Several districts of the state might be lashed by heavy rain.

Cyclone Dana Live Updates: 30-member NDRF team arrives at Gosoba area of Sundarban, West Bengal

The Odisha government on Tuesday announced the closure of two of its ecological hotspots - Similipal Tiger Reserve in Mayurbhanj district and Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapara district - in view of an impending severe cyclonic storm.

Both the Mayurbhanj and Kendrapara districts have been identified as “Red Zone” as the IMD forecast a severe cyclonic storm will cross the east coast between October 24 night to October 25 morning. These two districts could bear the brunt of the calamity, officials said.

The Forest Department has announced that the Bhitarkanika National Park (BNP) and Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) will remain closed to visitors and tourists from October 23 to October 25.

The deep depression over east-central Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestwards with a speed of 7 kmph during past 6 hours, intensified into a Deep Depression and lay centred at 1730 hrs IST of today, the 22nd October, over the same region near latitude 15.6° N and longitude 90.9°E, about 690 km southeast of Paradip (Odisha), 740 km south-southeast of Sagar Island (West Bengal) and 710 km south-southeast of Khepupara (Bangladesh), the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) informed.

Authorities of the Kolkata airport have started preparations to tackle any situation arising out of a possible cyclonic storm that could hit coastal areas of West Bengal and Odisha on October 25, a senior official said on Tuesday.

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, he said.

A meeting with various stakeholders was held in the evening to discuss issues related to the developing weather system, Director of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Dr Pravat Ranjan Beuria, told PTI.

More than 150 express and passenger trains running through South Eastern Railway jurisdiction have been cancelled in view of the possibility of formation of a severe cyclonic storm which is likely to hit Odisha-West Bengal coasts on October 25, an SER official said on Tuesday.

The trains cancelled include Howrah-Secunderabad Falaknuma Express, Kamakhya-Yesvantpur AC Express, Howrah-Puri Shatabdi Express, Howrah-Bhubaneswar Shatabdi Express and Howrah-Yesvantpur Express, he said.

The trains cancelled were scheduled to depart their originating stations from October 23 to 25, the SER official said.

More trains running through the SER zone may be cancelled if the situation demands.

On Cyclone Dana preparedness, DG Fire Services Dr Sudhanshu Sarangi says, “Sixty teams of Odisha Fire department, twenty teams of NDRF, and seventeen teams of Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force will be sent to their respective locations...We have all the necessary equipment to carry out the rescue operations...The public should also be well-prepared and follow the advisory issued by the respective departments..."

The Government of Odisha instructed collectors of 14 districts that are probably to be affected by a possible cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal to safely evacuate the common populace.

NDRF Team Commander PK Jadav says, “Two teams of NDRF have arrived at Kendrapara and we have all the necessary equipment to carry out the rescue operations. We will follow all the guidelines which will be given by the district administration...We are ready and prepared for every challenge...”

Jagatsinghpur collector J Sonal says, “...IMD has yet not predicted the exact landfall of the cyclone but according to the information it could be somewhere between Para deep and Sagar Island...We have made the evacuation plan...Arrangements have been made...”

“We have a Cabinet meeting on October 24... We have advised ministers who are in flood-prone areas to remain in their region and supervise the situation. We don't have any minister in Purba Medinipur that is why we are sending an observer there," says West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Cyclone Dana preparedness.

“We are fully prepared with line departments and field teams on alert. The availability of all basic facilities at temporary and permanent cyclone shelters has been reviewed. The evacuation plan is ready, also preparation for the restoration work is done. Our mission is to do restoration at the earliest. We have 26 permanent cyclone shelters and many temporary shelters to be set up at nearby schools.”

The price of vegetables including potato and onion has increased in Odisha markets as consumers resorted to panic buying amid IMD's prediction of a cyclone hitting the Odisha coast.

At Chhatra Bazaar in Cuttack, the price of potato has increased from Rs 30 to Rs 50 per kg on Tuesday. The price of onion has also increased to Rs 60 per kg from Rs 40 in the market, which is one of the largest vegetable markets in Odisha.

Tomato is being sold for Rs 80 to 100 in the local markets in Bhubaneswar, traders said.

The price of other vegetables like beans, brinjal, ladyfinger, cauliflower has also increased by Rs 10 to 20 per kg. There was a huge rush in the vegetable markets as consumers wanted to store sufficient amounts of vegetables especially potato and onion in view of the cyclone.

The depression over the Bay of Bengal is very likely to move west-northwestwards and intensify into a cyclonic storm by October 23 over east-central Bay of Bengal.

Thereafter, it will continue to move northwestwards and is very likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over northwest Bay of Bengal around 0300 UTC of the 24th and cross north Odisha and West Bengal coasts between Puri and Sagar Island during 1800 UTC of the 24th and 0000 UTC of October 25th as a severe cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 100 to 110 kmph, gusting 120 kmph.

The India Meteorological Department has shared rainfall forecasts from Day 1 to Day 7, starting from October 23 when Cyclone Dana is set to intensify. On October 23 (Day 1), the IMD has predicted isolated rainfall in the Koraput and Malkangiri districts. Other districts are predicted to remain majorly unaffected on October 23 with no rainfall.

Additionally, safe drinking water is being provided to prevent the spread of waterborne diseases in areas likely to be affected by the cyclone. Energy Secretary Hemant Sharma indicated that arrangements have been made to restore electricity promptly after the storm passes. Meanwhile, Usha Padhee, Secretary of the Urban Development Department, has instructed officials and civic bodies to implement measures against waterlogging and ensure the availability of safe drinking water across all locations.

Odisha's Director of Health Services, Bijay Kumar Mohapatra, announced the suspension of leaves for health service providers to ensure adequate staffing during the emergency. Essential medicines, including anti-snake venom and treatments for fever and diarrhea, have been stockpiled in cyclone shelters to address common health concerns that may arise.

The Odisha government is stockpiling food, water, medicine, and other essentials at these shelters. Special arrangements are in place for women, with women police deployed to assist in cyclone shelters.

Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari announced that officials have visited 250 cyclone relief centres to prepare for the influx of evacuees. In addition to the 800 shelters, 500 temporary shelters, including schools and colleges, have been designated for use.

Prices of essential vegetables, including potatoes and onions, have surged in Odisha markets as consumers engage in panic buying ahead of a predicted cyclone set to hit the state's coast later this week, traders reported early today.

At Cuttack's Chhatra Bazaar, the price of potatoes jumped from Rs 30 to Rs 50 per kilogram, while onions rose from ₹40 to ₹60. The local markets in Bhubaneswar are witnessing tomato prices ranging between Rs 80 and Rs 100 per kg. Other vegetables, such as brinjal, ladyfinger, and cauliflower, have also seen price increases of Rs 10 to Rs 20 per kilogram.

The Indian Coast Guard's Fraserganj base has issued warnings to multiple fishing ports in South 24 Parganas in preparation for the approaching Cyclone Dana. Fishermen and coastal residents have been advised to relocate to safer areas to ensure their safety.

In light of the impending cyclonic storm, the Special Relief Commissioner of Odisha has announced the deployment of 20 teams from the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) along with an additional 10 teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) for search and rescue operations.

Bhubaneswar Met department shares wind warning for Odisha on October 24 and 25.

"Dana" is not the first cyclone with a culturally significant name. Other examples include Cyclone Tauktae, named by Myanmar (meaning "gecko"), Cyclone Nivar from Iran (meaning "light breeze"), and Cyclone Amphan from Thailand (meaning "sky"). These names help make the storms more relatable to the people affected by them. Learn more.

Tropical cyclones get their names through a coordinated effort by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The WMO uses a rotating list of names contributed by 14 countries. Recently, the name "Dana," chosen by Saudi Arabia, was assigned to a cyclone. "Dana" means "generosity" or "bounty" in Arabic, reflecting the cultural roots of the naming system.

This practice of using local names not only raises awareness about the storms but also encourages communities to take responsibility in tracking them.

Tropical cyclones typically form over ocean basins in the lower latitudes of all oceans, with the exception of the South Atlantic and Southeast Pacific. They develop primarily over warm waters, particularly in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.

In the Indian Ocean, tropical cyclones generally form during the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons, which correspond to the months of April to June and September to December, respectively. The warm ocean temperatures during these periods provide the necessary energy for cyclone formation and intensification.

Cyclone Dana Live Updates: How's the system placed today? Watch here.

The system is expected to continue its west-northwest trajectory and is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm by October 23, stated the IMD. Following this, it will likely strengthen into a severe cyclonic storm over the northwest Bay of Bengal by the morning of October 24, says the weather bureau. The storm is anticipated to cross the coasts of north Odisha and West Bengal between Puri and Sagar Island during the night of October 24 and the morning of October 25, with wind speeds ranging from 100 to 110 km/h, gusting up to 120 km/h.

The depression over the East-central Bay of Bengal has been moving west-northwestward at a speed of 6 km/h and was located at 08:30 IST today, near latitude 15.5° N and longitude 91.0° E. At this position, it is approximately 700 km southeast of Paradip (Odisha), 750 km south-southeast of Sagar Island (West Bengal), and 730 km south-southeast of Khepupara (Bangladesh), according to an IMD update, as of 1 pm.

A yellow warning, signaling "be aware," has been issued for heavy rainfall (between 7 to 11 cm) and thunderstorms with lightning in isolated locations across Bhadrak, Balasore, Jajpur, Angul, Dhenkanal, Boudh, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Mayurbhanj, and Keonjhar districts.

The IMD has issued an orange warning, indicating a "get ready to take action" alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall (ranging from 7 to 20 cm), along with thunderstorms and lightning in isolated areas of Kendrapada, Cuttack, Nayagarh, Kandhamal, and Gajapati districts in Odisha.

Officials have been instructed to stock essential supplies in cyclone shelters and to restore road, telecommunication, and electricity services in affected areas post-cyclone. The government has set a "Zero Casualty" target for the storm's impact.

The IMD's Director General, Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, indicated that Odisha is likely to face the most severe effects, with high winds and extreme rainfall. An orange warning has been issued for heavy to very heavy rainfall in several districts, while a yellow warning has been issued for additional regions.

West Bengal's coastal districts, particularly Purba and Paschim Medinipur, as well as North and South 24 Parganas, are also forecasted to experience heavy rainfall on October 23.

Fishermen have been advised against venturing into the sea from October 23 to 25, with wind speeds anticipated to reach 60 kilometers per hour (km/h) along the Odisha-West Bengal coastline, increasing to 100-110 km/h and gusting up to 120 km/h from the night of October 24 into the morning of October 25

The inauguration of the Rs 450 crore modern passenger terminal at Bengal’s Petrapole on the Indo-Bangladesh border, which was scheduled for October 23 by Home Minister Amit Shah, has been postponed due to the impending Cyclone Dana. This decision was made to ensure safety in light of the cyclone forecast, according to an official statement. The new date for the inauguration will likely be decided once the weather conditions improve.

Central agencies, including the Army, Navy, and Coast Guard, are on alert, ready with additional rescue and relief teams, ships, and aircraft. Emergency teams from the Union ministries of Power and Telecommunication are also prepared for immediate restoration efforts. Both states reported that control rooms have been activated, and fishermen have been advised to return to shore.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has placed 14 teams in West Bengal and 11 teams in Odisha on standby for deployment ahead of an impending cyclonic storm forecasted to make landfall between Puri and Sagar Island on October 24. This announcement came during a National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) meeting led by Cabinet Secretary TV Somanathan, who emphasized the need for proactive measures to minimize loss of life and property.

President Droupadi Murmu's three-day visit to Odisha, scheduled from October 23 to 25, has been postponed due to the impending cyclone expected to impact the state's coast on October 25.

The President was set to visit several locations, including Bangriposi, Uparbeda, Rairangpur, Puri, and Bhubaneswar. A communication from the President’s secretariat to the Odisha chief secretary stated, “due to unavoidable circumstances, the visit of the Hon'ble President from 23rd to 25th October, 2024 stands postponed.”

Monday's well-marked low-pressure area over the East-central Bay of Bengal has intensified, moving west-northwestward and concentrating into a depression, stated the IMD, in its latest update this morning. As of 5:30 AM IST today, stated the weather bureau, the depression is located near latitude 15.4° N and longitude 91.2° E. It is approximately 730 km southeast of Paradip (Odisha), 770 km south-southeast of Sagar Island (West Bengal), and 740 km south-southeast of Khepupara (Bangladesh).

The IMD has issued a red warning for Odisha, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall ranging from 7 to 20 cm, with the possibility of isolated extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 20 cm. The warning also includes potential thunderstorms and lightning in the districts of Puri, Khurda, Ganjam, and Jagatsinghpur on October 24.

Odisha's Deputy Chief Minister, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, announced on Monday that multiple state departments have been put on high alert in response to the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) forecast of heavy rainfall due to cyclone Dana'.

He stated, "The Odisha government is fully prepared in the energy and agriculture departments, and the revenue department is also on alert. We have conducted reviews, and necessary instructions have been issued to the concerned officers. Their leaves have been canceled, and they have all been advised to remain vigilant."

The Odisha government has issued an advisory for tourists in Puri. State Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari announced the advisory following a review meeting led by CM Majhi on Monday. Tourists have been urged to evacuate the pilgrim town promptly to ensure their safety.

Hemanta Sharma, Principal Secretary of the State Department of Energy, provided an update on preparations for Cyclone Dana. He stated, "All preparations are ongoing. Our electricity distribution companies in Baleswar, Bhadrak, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Puri, and Cuttack have alerted their executive engineers and SDPOs, and a control room has been established. Manpower has been arranged to address any damage that may occur."

He added, "Working gangs have been mobilised, and we are mapping vulnerable grids and emergency transmission towers in these districts. Our arrangements will be completed according to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in the coming days. We plan to control power supply on October 24-25 based on the intensity of the rain and wind speed. Currently, we have nearly 10,000 additional personnel, 15,000 poles, and 500 distribution transformers ready."

DGP Fire, Sudhansu Sekhar Sadangi stated, "We are waiting for the cyclone to hit, whether it will hit Bangladesh or Odisha. Our action will depend on that. Our preparations are in place for now. We are trying to bring back the fishermen who have gone into the sea. By tomorrow we'll get to know the districts which will likely be affected. Our course of action will depend on that..."

Odisha's Revenue and Disaster Management Minister, Suresh Pujari, announced that CM Majhi chaired a meeting regarding disaster preparedness. "The Chief Minister presided over the meeting, which included the Chief Secretary, the Development Commissioner, and the secretaries of all departments involved in relief and rehabilitation operations," Pujari stated.

He also stated that instructions were issued to ensure full readiness for the upcoming challenges. "All shelter relief centers in vulnerable areas are prepared, equipped with facilities for drinking water and electricity," he added, highlighting the government's proactive approach to disaster management.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, after a review meeting on preparedness to tackle the impending cyclone, stated, "Zero casualty will be ensured. There is no need to panic. The government is fully prepared to tackle the situation. 100 percent evacuation will be made after identifying vulnerable areas. NDRF, ODRAF & Fire Services teams are kept ready. The government is closely monitoring the situation. Cyclone shelters will be equipped with all necessities and essential commodities. Discussion was also held for early restoration of power and water supply and telephone and road communication. Uninterrupted electricity will be ensured to hospitals. The concerned department has already kept a close watch to prevent hoarding or overcharging of essential commodities".

In light of the impending cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal, schools will remain closed in several districts from October 23 to 25. The affected districts include Ganjam, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Angul, Khurda, Nayagarh, and Cuttack.

The IMD's latest update states, "The Low-Pressure Area persists over the Eastcentral Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Andaman Sea. It is very likely to move west-northwestwards and intensify into a depression by 22nd October morning and into a cyclonic storm by 23rd October, 2024 over Eastcentral Bay of Bengal".

In addition to Odisha, parts of West Bengal, including Purba Medinipur, South 24 Parganas, and Kolkata, are expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall between October 23 and 25 due to the approaching severe cyclonic storm. The IMD has also issued a yellow alert for these regions, cautioning residents to prepare for potentially intense weather conditions during this period. The rainfall, accompanied by strong winds, may lead to waterlogging and disruptions in coastal and low-lying areas.

The IMD has issued a yellow warning for several districts in Odisha, forecasting thunderstorms accompanied by lightning. The districts under this alert include Bhadrak, Balasore, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Kandhamal, Nayagarh, Khurda, and Puri. Heavy rainfall, with amounts reaching 20-30 cm in some coastal areas, is expected on October 24-25 as the severe cyclonic storm approaches.

IMD Director-General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra has stated that the storm could intensify into a severe cyclonic storm, with wind speeds reaching 100-120 km/h. Heavy rainfall is expected in parts of Odisha starting from October 23 as the storm approaches. Coastal regions are being urged to prepare for potential impacts, including strong winds, heavy rainfall, and possible flooding.