Cyclone Dana Live Tracker: Red Alert Issued For Odisha; Flights, Trains Cancelled; Evacuation Begins

The India Meteorological Department in its latest update informed that the Cyclonic storm “DANA” (pronounced as Dana) over Eastcentral & adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal moved northwestwards with a speed of 12 kmph during the past 6 hours and lay centred at 1730 hrs IST of today, October 23, over the same region near latitude 17.2° N and longitude 88.9°E, about 420 km southeast of Paradip (Odisha), 450 km south-southeast of Dhamara (Odisha) and 500 km south-southeast of Sagar Island (West Bengal).

Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi today visited the office of the Special Relief Commissioner and reviewed the preparedness of the cyclone. The Chief Minister requested the people of Odisha not to be afraid or panic under any circumstances. The Chief Minister said that all relevant departments are fully prepared to deal with the storm. 'You are in Safe Hands' said the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister appealed to everyone to be safe and alert till the danger abates.

Air India has informed that all Air India flights to and from Kolkata are cancelled from 1800 IST of October 24 till 0900 IST of October 25 due to closure of Kolkata Airport. The airline has requested passengers to verify their flight status before traveling to the airport.

The Department of Fisheries & Animal Resources Development Department of the Government of Odisha has shared control room contact number for 15 districts of Odisha. Fishermen are advised to note these details and contact in case of emergency due to Cyclone Dana.

As per latest reports, Airport operation at Bhubaneswar airport will be suspended from 5 pm on October 24 to 9 am on October 25 due to cyclone DANA.

More than 40 persons were evacuated from vulnerable villages and settled in the Rahama shelter house. The update was shared by Superintendent of Police, Kendrapada some time ago on X (Twitter).

Indian Railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw chaired a meeting with ECO and SE railways team to review the preparedness by the concerned Zonal Railways. Nine round-the-clock dedicated war rooms will be established to promptly restore rail services.

Follow these official Indian railways handle on X (formerly Twitter) to stay updated with the list of cancelled or diverted or suspended train services.

• https://x.com/serailwaykol: South Eastern Railway

• https://x.com/SCRailwayIndia: South Central Railway

• https://x.com/EastCoastRail: East Coast Railway

• https://x.com/SWRRLY: South Western Railway

Check route and map of the cyclonic storm that will hit Odisha on October 24.

As Cyclone Dana approached the West bengal coast, Kolkata police has shared couple of helpline numbers to assist people during Cyclone Dana.

The Regional Meteorological Centre of Bhubaneswar shared the latest satellite imagery of the impeding Cyclone Dana as it approached Odisha coast.

Speaking to media personnel after conducting a review meeting on state's preparedness for Cyclone Dana, he said - ''Arrangements are in place for the affected districts, including Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore, Jagatsinghpur, and Puri. I urge citizens to prioritize their safety and remain vigilant. The government is fully prepared to handle all situations. Evacuation efforts are underway, with over 30% of people relocated. The evacuation process will continue throughout the night, aiming to evacuate 90% of people by 11 am tomorrow. Notably, 3 to 4 lakh people have already been evacuated."

Indigo has issued a travel advisory alerting all passengers who are taking flights to/from Kolkata and Bhubaneshwar. The airline has stated that flights may be impacted or even cancelled due to cyclone Dana and has requested passengers to stay updated on thier flight status.

In view of Cyclone DANA's impact on the coastal region of West Bengal, including Kolkata, the airport authority has decided to suspend flight operations from 1800 IST on October 24 to 0900 IST on October 25 due to predicted heavy winds and possibility of very heavy rainfall at Kolkata.

The above map (from windy.com) shows the current location of Cyclone Dana and the possible route it will follow for the next 2-3 days.

As per India Meteorological Department's (IMD) latest update, a red alert has been issued for Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal on the possibility of extremely heavy rainfall on October 24.

As per India Meteorological Department's (IMD) latest update, a yellow alert has been issued for Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal on the possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall on October 23.

The South Central Railway Division of Indian Railways has set up helpline numbers in order to facilitate passengers with train running information. As several trains have been diverted oe cancelled due to Cyclone Dana, SCR has set up additional helpline numbers at important railway stations, check details below.

Odisha Civil Services Preliminary Examination - 2023-24 scheduled to be held on October 27 has been postponed The next date for the exam will be notified after 7 days: OPSC

Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare Department has instructed district administrations to monitor the price and availability of essential commodities in view of the ensuing Cyclone Dana and prevent hoarding, black marketing and protect consumers' interest

India Coast Guard Region (North East) has initiated preventive measures ahead of Cyclone 'DANA'. The defence department informed that their ships, helicopters, and Dornier aircraft are fully prepared for assistance, rescue and relief operations.

IAF lifted National Disaster Response Force team of 150 personnel along with relief materials to Bhubaneswa. One IL-76 and an AN-32 were flown in from Bathinda, Punjab, and the aircraft landed early this morning.

The Collector and District Magistrate of Balasore has shared the emergency helpline numbers to contact government agencies for assistance during the cyclonic storm. People should make note of these numbers and call for help to get in touch with required authorities.

Former Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik in a post on X (Twitter) wrote, 'Awareness and caution will protect us from potential storm 'dana'. Storms have come many times, and we have weathered them with strength. As with all storms, let's take every precaution to stay safe this time too. Taking care of yourself and your loved ones. Fear not, let us all be vigilant.'

Special Relief Commissioner, Odisha had ordered collectors of 14 districts to undertake safe evacuation of the public. Many have now been evacuated to relief centres.

The Meteorological Centre of Bhubaneswar has issued wind warnings in Odisha for October 24 and 25, 2024. Wind speeds up to 120 kmph are expected as cyclonic storm reaches Odisha coast.

The above map (from windy.com) shows the current location of Cyclone Dana and the possible route it will follow for the next 2-3 days.

The official X handle of Puri Police has shared helpline numbers for assistance during Cyclone Dana.

The post has mentioned these numbers for assistance - 06752-223940 or 9438916543.

'The 39th National Junior Athletics Championships postponed due to (impending) cyclone in Odisha. Next date will be published soon,' Athletics Federation of India (AFI) said in a statement.

The Forest Department has announced that the Bhitarkanika National Park (BNP) will remain closed to visitors and tourists from October 23 to October 25. The date of reopening will be decided keeping in view the prevailing situation in the areas.

The chief minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee said that educational institutes, schools, colleges and ICDS centres North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Purba Medinipur, Paschim Medinipur, Jhargram, Bankura, Howrah, Hooghly and Kolkata from Wednesday to October 26.

Umashankar Das, senior scientist at the regional meteorological centre in Bhubaneswar, said, 'Based on the trajectory of the system, it is anticipated that Cyclone ‘Dana’ will make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapara district and Dhamra port in Bhadrak district.' During the landfall, a tidal surge of up to 2 metres is expected, with the cyclone reaching the coast at a wind velocity of 120 km/h, he said.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said the state administration was ready to respond to any disaster that could occur due to an impending cyclone. She said teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and SDRF have already been deployed, and integrated control rooms, at both state and district levels, become functional 24X7.

The Odisha government has issued an emergency helpline and control room numbers for people to seek guidance and help. The toll-free number for assistance during and after Cyclone Dana is 1077.

Given below is the distric-wise helpline numbers shared by the Office Of The Collector and District Magistrate, Khordha.

The cyclonic storm over East-central Bay of Bengal moved northwestwards with a speed of 15 kmph during the past 6 hours and lay centred at 0830 hrs IST of today, October 23, over the same region about 520 km southeast of Paradip (Odisha), 600 km south-southeast of Sagar Island (West Bengal) and 610 km south-southeast of Khepupara (Bangladesh).

IMD has issued an orange alert for Odisha and West Bengal coasts.

The state government has already mobilised 19 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, 51 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams, and 178 Fire Services teams, with an additional 40 teams also deployed in the affected districts. Odisha government expedited the evacuation of people from coastal areas and deployed 288 rescue teams in vulnerable areas across 14 districts, officials said - as per PTI.

The Collector & District Magistrate of Mayurbhanj has inform that Similipal Tiger Reserve will remain closed for tourists/visitors from October 23 to October 25 (tentative) due to the cyclonic storm which is likely to hit Odisha.

Raghubar Das, Governor of Odisha has appealed to everyone to take all measures to stay safe in areas likely to be affected by the cyclone.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall (up to 7 to 20cm) with isolated extremely heavy rainfall (>20cm) is very likely to occur in the districts of Mayurbhanj, Cuttack, Jajpur, Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapada, and Jagatsinghpur.

The regional met centre of Bhubaneswar has issued a yellow alert for following places with the possibility of heavy rainfall from morning of October 23 up to morning of October 24.

Heavy rainfall (up to 7 to 11cm) is very likely to occur at isolated places in the districts of Balasore, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Kendrapada, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur and Puri.

Chief Minister Sri Mohan Charan Majhi has directed the following Ministers to supervise cyclone management in districts that might be affected by cyclone Dana.

1. Jagatsinghapur: Industry, Sri Sampad Chandra Swain

2. ⁠Balasore: PR&DW and RD, Sri Rabi Nayak

3. ⁠Bhadrak: Sports & HE, Sri Suraj Suryavamsi

4. ⁠Mayurbhanj: H&UD, Dr K C Mahapatra

5. ⁠Puri: Deputy CM, Smt. Pravati Parida

6. ⁠Kendrapada: Deputy CM, Sri K V Singhdeo

7. ⁠Ganjam: Com & Transport, Sri Bibhuti Bhusan Jena

8. ⁠Keonjhar: Food & Civil Supplies, Sri K C Patra

9. ⁠Cuttack: Works, Law, Sri Prithviraj Harichandan

Cyclone Dana, is a name proposed by Qatar, in line with the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) guidelines on naming cyclones. It means "generosity" in Arabic. The name is part of the new list of tropical cyclone names adopted by WMO/ESCAP Panel member countries in April 2020 for the naming of tropical cyclones over the North Indian Ocean including the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea.

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) said it is on high alert and has mobilised its vessels and aircraft to respond swiftly to any contingency over the Bay of Bengal. As per PTI, ICG has mobilised its vessels and aircraft, positioning them strategically to respond swiftly to any emergency situations. The NDRF said it has deployed 13 teams so far across south Bengal to respond to any emergency situation.

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.

• Light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy rainfall at isolated places is very likely on October 23 and heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places with extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places is very likely over South & North 24 Parganas, East & West Medinipur, Jhargram, Howrah, Hooghly, Kolkata and Bankura districts of Gangetic West Bengal on October 24 and 25.

The Met Department has issued a red alert for many places in Odisha on possibility of extremely heavy rainfall from October 23 to 25.

• Light to moderate rainfall is expected at most places with heavy rainfall (up to 7-11 cm) at isolated places is very likely over Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsingpur, Puri and Khorda, districts of Odisha on October 23.

• Heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places and extremely heavy rainfall (≥ 21 cm) at isolated places is very likely over Baleswar, Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsingpur, Kendujhar, Jajpur, Cuttack and Dhenkanal, Khorda and Puri districts of Odisha on October 24 and 25.

In view of Cyclone Dana's imminent arrival, all schools, colleges, universities and Anganwadi centers in the following districts of Odisha will be closed for three days from October 23 to 25.

List of districts: Ganjam, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balswar, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Anugol, Khurda, Nayagarh and Cuttack.

A high-level meeting, chaired by the Minister of Revenue and Disaster Management, was held to assess the cyclone's preparedness. The Odisha State Disaster Management Authority has outlined the measures taken, here is list

The Minsistry of railways had informed that the following trains operating under East Coast Railway have been cancelled due to the cyclonic storm

South Eastern Railway has confirmed that around 151 trains plying on the route have been cancelled. Passengers can find out the full list of cancelled trains here.

South Eastern Railway headquarters, Kolkata has provided an update on the list of train cancelled due to the upcoming cyclone dana. Passengers are advised to take note of the trains cancelled and plan their travel accordingly.

The above map (from windy.com) shows the current location of Cyclone Dana and the possible route it will follow for the next 2-3 days.

Cyclone Dana, is a name proposed by Qatar, in line with the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) guidelines on naming cyclones. It means "generosity" in Arabic. The name is part of the new list of tropical cyclone names adopted by WMO/ESCAP Panel member countries in April 2020 for the naming of tropical cyclones over the North Indian Ocean including the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea. It will be the first cyclone to hit the Indian coast after the withdrawal of the Southwest Monsoon and the simultaneous arrival of the Northeast Monsoon.

Cyclone Dana is set to make landfall along the Odisha-West Bengal coast between Puri and Sagar Island on the night of October 24 and early morning of October 25.