Thu Oct 24 13:07:00 UTC 2024: **Summary of Cyclone Dana News Article (October 24, 2024)**

1. **Cyclone Dana Formation**: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reports that Cyclone Dana is expected to make landfall along the coasts of Odisha and West Bengal between Puri and Sagar Island late on October 24 to early October 25, with wind speeds of 100-110 km/h, gusting to 120 km/h.

2. **Evacuation Plans**: Odisha plans to evacuate 1 million people to cyclone shelters. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi ordered the evacuation of 362,000 residents from low-lying areas. West Bengal also identified over 350,000 people for evacuation.

3. **Warnings Issued**: The IMD has issued a ‘red warning’ for heavy to very heavy rainfall in seven districts of Odisha and an ‘orange warning’ for five districts. Marine activities in the Bay of Bengal have been suspended.

4. **Transportation Interruptions**: Eastern and South-Eastern Railways have canceled many train services. The Kolkata airport suspended operations for 15 hours from 6 PM on October 24 for safety reasons.

5. **Government and Disaster Response Preparations**: Various government agencies are preparing for the cyclone, with the Navy on standby for humanitarian assistance and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams deployed to raise awareness and assist with evacuations.

6. **Impact of the Cyclone**: Rain and squally winds already affected coastal areas, with up to 62 mm of rain reported at Paradip. Authorities are implementing measures to protect critical sites, including the Jagannath Temple in Puri.

7. **Community Response**: Local villages have started moving to relief camps as residents express fear over tidal waves. Telecom companies have prepared contingency measures to ensure communications remain operational.

8. **Warnings for Nearby Regions**: Jharkhand has also been placed under an alert for potential heavy rainfall as Dana approaches.

The article highlights significant preparedness and response efforts in anticipation of Cyclone Dana, emphasizing the urgency of evacuations and the impact on infrastructure and services in affected regions.

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