Bhubaneswar: The cyclonic storm Dana, forming over the east-central Bay of Bengal, is expected to make landfall on the Odisha coast between Bhitarkanika in Kendrapara district and Dhamara in Bhadrak district from the night of October 24 to the morning of October 25. This storm is classified as severe.

Mrutyunjaya Mohapatra, Director General of the India Meteorological Department, stated that the landfall process will take around five to six hours. Heavy rain, strong winds, and storm surges will peak during this time.

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Odisha government takes action to ensure safety

The Odisha government is taking significant steps to reduce the impact of the cyclone. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi emphasised the importance of safety, aiming for zero casualties. He reported that 30 percent of people from vulnerable areas have already been moved to cyclone shelters, with efforts continuing throughout the night. The goal is to evacuate about 10 lakh people before the storm arrives, with 90 percent expected to be relocated by 11:00 am on Thursday.

To support this effort, the state has set up around 6,000 relief and cyclone shelters to accommodate those evacuated from high-risk areas. The Chief Minister assured that all necessary government departments are prepared to handle the situation.

Some ministers have also been assigned to monitor the cyclone response in specific districts and have already travelled there after a cabinet meeting on Wednesday. Senior officials are also deployed to oversee rescue and relief operations.

In light of the approaching storm, Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar will suspend flight operations from Thursday at 5:00 pm until 9:00 am on October 25. The East Coast Railway has halted over 150 train services in response to the storm warning.

All educational institutions, parks, libraries, and museums in affected areas will be closed. The Orissa High Court will also remain closed on Thursday and Friday. Furthermore, the Odisha Public Service Commission has postponed the Odisha Civil Services Preliminary Examination-2023.

Agency