Flights to and from Odisha and West Bengal, including Kolkata, have been suspended from Thursday evening to Friday morning as Cyclone Dana approaches the eastern coast of India. The cyclone, currently gaining strength over the Bay of Bengal, is expected to make landfall between midnight and Friday morning, bringing winds of 100 to 110 km/h and gusts up to 120 km/h, according to meteorological reports.
Authorities in both states have ordered the closure of schools in areas likely to face the cyclone’s full force, while fishermen have been warned to stay off the seas. Television footage captured scenes of residents in coastal areas reinforcing their homes and boats as government officials moved people to safety.
Odisha’s Bhadrak district saw operations at the Adani-owned Dhamra port suspended in preparation for the storm. State officials reported that nearly 50,000 people have already been evacuated, with a total of 300,000 people expected to be moved to safer locations before the cyclone hits.
In neighboring West Bengal, a red alert has been issued for three districts along the coast, while Kolkata saw overcast skies and light rain as preparations ramped up for the impending storm.
Cyclones are a recurring threat to coastal regions in India and Bangladesh, with the peak season running from April to December. Odisha, in particular, experienced one of its worst cyclones in 1999, which claimed 10,000 lives. Earlier this year in May, a cyclone with wind speeds of 135 km/h caused 16 deaths across India and Bangladesh.
Authorities in both states have ordered the closure of schools in areas likely to face the cyclone’s full force, while fishermen have been warned to stay off the seas. Television footage captured scenes of residents in coastal areas reinforcing their homes and boats as government officials moved people to safety.
Odisha’s Bhadrak district saw operations at the Adani-owned Dhamra port suspended in preparation for the storm. State officials reported that nearly 50,000 people have already been evacuated, with a total of 300,000 people expected to be moved to safer locations before the cyclone hits.
In neighboring West Bengal, a red alert has been issued for three districts along the coast, while Kolkata saw overcast skies and light rain as preparations ramped up for the impending storm.
Cyclones are a recurring threat to coastal regions in India and Bangladesh, with the peak season running from April to December. Odisha, in particular, experienced one of its worst cyclones in 1999, which claimed 10,000 lives. Earlier this year in May, a cyclone with wind speeds of 135 km/h caused 16 deaths across India and Bangladesh.
