The coastal regions of West Bengal and Odisha are bracing for the impact, with heavy to very heavy rainfall and strong winds forecast for October 24 and 25. IMD Director-General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said that the landfall process will begin late on October 24 and continue through the early hours of October 25, with wind speeds peaking at 120 kmph.

In response to the cyclone, several precautionary measures have been put in place. Flight operations at Kolkata airport will be suspended for 15 hours starting at 6 pm on Thursday until 9 am on Friday. Eastern Railway has also cancelled 190 local trains in its Sealdah division between 8 pm on Thursday and 10 am on Friday to ensure passenger safety.

West Bengal’s coastal districts, including Bankura, Hooghly, Howrah, North and South 24 Parganas, Paschim and Purba Medinipur, and Kolkata, are under high alert. The state government has identified 2,82,863 people for evacuation from these areas. So far, 1,14,613 residents, primarily from the coastal regions of South 24 Parganas, including Sagar Island, the Sundarbans, and Kakdwip, have been safely relocated.

State Fire and Emergency Services Minister Sujit Bose assured that the government is working tirelessly to manage the situation. “We are working round the clock to ensure the safety of residents in the affected areas,” Bose said.

To support the evacuation and relief efforts, 13 battalions from the state’s disaster management force and 14 battalions from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed across the coastal regions of West Bengal and Odisha. Emergency response teams are on high alert to deal with any potential fallout from the cyclone.

As Cyclone Dana approaches, residents in the affected regions are urged to stay indoors, follow government advisories, and remain updated on weather alerts for any sudden changes in the storm’s trajectory.

The post Over 1.14 Lakh Evacuated in West Bengal as Severe Cyclone Dana Approaches Odisha Coast appeared first on Vizag One.

Authorities have ramped up disaster preparedness efforts, and in response to the severe weather, the Railways has announced the cancellation of around 350 train services across the affected regions. These cancellations include express and passenger trains, with key services connecting Visakhapatnam to Howrah and Chennai among those impacted.

Meteorological Officer Srinivas from the Visakhapatnam cyclone warning centre confirmed that Cyclone Dana is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm within the next 24 hours. With wind speeds expected to reach between 100-110 km/h, and gusts exceeding 120 km/h, residents of north-coastal AP, Yanam, and Rayalaseema should brace for significant thunderstorms and heavy rainfall, particularly on October 25.

The IMD’s forecast for the next five days includes thunderstorms with lightning in isolated locations. As Cyclone Dana makes landfall, there is a risk of flooding and lightning strikes, making it crucial for residents to stay alert and take necessary precautions, especially in vulnerable areas.

To support travelers affected by the train cancellations, helplines have been established at various railway stations, including Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam, and Rayagada. Passengers can receive real-time updates on train services by calling the following helplines: 08912746330, 08912744619, 8712641255, and 7780787054.

As the region braces for Cyclone Dana’s impact, the authorities continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure the safety of residents and mitigate any potential damage.

The post Cyclone Dana Approaching: Heavy Rainfall Warning Issued for Coastal AP and Yanam, 350 Trains Cancelled appeared first on Vizag One.