Indian authorities launched a massive evacuation of nearly 1.5 million people Wednesday as Cyclone Dana bears down on the eastern states of Odisha and West Bengal, with the storm expected to intensify into a severe cyclonic system within 24 hours.
The India Meteorological Department warns that a depression over the Bay of Bengal will strengthen into a severe cyclonic storm by Thursday evening, bringing wind speeds of 100-120 km/h (62-74 mph) to coastal regions. Officials predict “heavy to very heavy” rainfall along the coastline for the next 24 hours.
Odisha state is evacuating more than one million residents from fourteen districts, while West Bengal moves over 300,000 people from coastal areas. “We are fully prepared to deal with the storm. Don’t panic, be safe and be careful,” Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi told media, confirming deployment of thousands of relief workers.
Emergency measures include establishing temporary relief camps equipped with food, water, and health facilities. Aviation authorities have suspended flight operations at Bhubaneswar and Kolkata airports from Thursday evening through Friday morning, while railways cancelled more than 200 trains. Schools in coastal regions remain closed, and officials warned fishermen against venturing to sea.
The evacuation effort reflects lessons learned from past disasters in the cyclone-prone region. In 1999, more than 10,000 people perished in an Odisha cyclone, while last year’s cyclone claimed at least sixteen lives across India and Bangladesh.
State disaster management teams have activated emergency protocols and established relief centers throughout potentially affected areas. Officials at Paradip port implemented contingency plans to ensure safety of staff and nearby residents as the region braces for impact.
The weather department continues monitoring the system’s development, issuing regular updates as the cyclone approaches the coastline. Emergency response teams remain on high alert, prepared to address immediate needs as they arise in the storm’s aftermath.
