Key Points
- Cyclone Dana is on its way to Odisha, disrupting daily life in Bhubaneswar.
- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) expects landfall with wind speeds of 120 km/h.
- 203 trains are canceled, and flights at Bhubaneswar airport are suspended.
- Schools are closed from October 23 to 25, and many businesses have fewer customers.
- Authorities are evacuating 350,000 people and have set up 4,756 relief centers.
- A red warning for heavy rain and strong winds has been issued in four districts.
Looma News
Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, is experiencing major disruptions as Cyclone Dana approaches. Daily life has been affected, with very few vehicles on the roads. Public transport spots like the Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bus Terminal, the airport, and the railway station are nearly empty due to numerous cancellations. Because of the cyclone, there are fewer commuters in Puri.
The IMD predicts that Cyclone Dana will make landfall between Bhitarkanika and Dhamra early Friday. Winds could reach 120 km/h, with Bhubaneswar facing gusts up to 80 km/h and heavy rain on Thursday and Friday.
To prepare for the storm, the East Coast Railway (ECoR) has canceled 203 trains, affecting many travelers, including tourists at the Bhubaneswar Railway Station. Flights at Bhubaneswar airport will also be suspended from 5 PM today until 9 AM on October 25, impacting about 40 domestic and international flights.
As a precaution, all schools in Bhubaneswar will remain closed from October 23 to 25. While government offices, shops, and malls are still open, they have seen a significant drop in customers. Hospitals, like the state-run Capital Hospital, report very few visitors.
The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has set up 85 shelter homes with basic facilities for residents seeking safety. Pumps are in place to manage possible flooding in low areas, and high-mast lights across the city have been lowered to prevent accidents.
Odisha’s Revenue and Disaster Management Minister, Suresh Pujari, announced the evacuation of 350,000 people from at-risk areas, with 4,756 relief centers established. Rescue operations are supported by 385 teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), and fire services, alongside 150 platoons of Odisha Police to assist in emergencies and clear roads.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi highlighted the state’s goal of “zero casualty” and has sent senior officials and ministers to oversee rescue and relief efforts. Meanwhile, the weather department has issued a red warning for heavy rain and strong winds in four districts, including Bhadrak and Kendrapara, as the cyclone approaches landfall.
