Thu Oct 24 11:01:46 UTC 2024: **Cyclone Dana Live Updates: Key Points**

1. **Cyclone Approach**: Cyclone Dana has reached near the coast of West Bengal and Odisha, causing moderate to heavy rainfall in several districts of West Bengal on Thursday morning.

2. **Expected Landfall**: The cyclone is anticipated to make landfall between the Bhitarkanika National Park and the Dhamra port in Odisha on Friday morning, with wind speeds expected to reach 120-125 km/h.

3. **Evacuation Efforts**: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi reviewed the preparedness, noting that only about 30% of the identified ‘at-risk’ population (3-4 lakh people) had been evacuated by Wednesday evening. Evacuations are ongoing.

4. **Alert Issued**: A warning is in effect for numerous states, including West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, and Jharkhand, from October 24-25, with heavy rainfall expected.

5. **Navy Preparedness**: The Indian Navy has mobilized humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations, preparing for potential severe impacts along the coasts of Odisha and West Bengal.

6. **Severe Weather Predictions**: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has indicated that Cyclone Dana may escalate further, with the storm’s maximum speed potentially reaching 120 km/h.

7. **Flight Cancellations**: Flights at Bhubaneswar airport have been suspended for 16 hours starting from Thursday evening due to the cyclone’s expected impact, with Kolkata airport also halting operations for 15 hours.

8. **Heavy Rainfall Alert**: An “orange alert” has been issued for certain districts in Jharkhand, predicting 115-204 mm of rainfall due to the cyclone.

9. **Government Readiness**: Both state and central government agencies are on high alert, with the response mechanism fully activated, as stated by various officials, including West Bengal’s Governor C.V. Anand Bose.

10. **Public Awareness**: The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is actively raising awareness about the cyclone in Odisha, going door to door to inform people of precautions.

Overall, preparations are in place as the region braces for Cyclone Dana, with significant rainfall and winds expected to impact life across multiple states in eastern India.

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