Thu Oct 24 06:26:09 UTC 2024: ### Summary of Cyclone Dana News Article:

1. **Current Situation**: Cyclone Dana is approaching the coast of West Bengal and Odisha, with moderate to heavy rainfall reported in several districts of West Bengal since Thursday morning.

2. **Projected Impact**: The cyclone is expected to make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port in Odisha on Friday morning, with wind speeds reaching 120-125 km/h.

3. **Evacuation Efforts**: Odisha’s Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi reviewed evacuation preparedness, noting that only 30% of approximately 3-4 lakh people in identified danger zones have been evacuated as of Wednesday evening. Evacuation efforts are ongoing.

4. **Weather Warnings**: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued alerts for heavy rainfall from October 24-25 across West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, and Jharkhand due to the cyclone.

5. **Flight Operations**: Due to Cyclone Dana, flight operations at Bhubaneswar’s Biju Patnaik International Airport have been suspended for 16 hours starting Thursday evening, and Kolkata Airport will suspend operations for 15 hours due to safety concerns.

6. **Preparation and Precautions**: Officials are urging residents to comply with government and disaster management instructions, emphasizing the importance of safety measures.

7. **Public Response**: Odisha’s former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik encouraged the public to stay safe and take necessary precautions rather than succumbing to fear, reinforcing that Odisha has faced cyclones before with resilience.

8. **Expected Weather Conditions**: IMD predicted that the cyclone may intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by midnight, with peak wind speeds likely to reach around 100-110 km/h prior to landfall.

This summary captures the critical developments and preparations regarding Cyclone Dana, emphasizing its potential impact on the affected regions.

Read More