Over a million people have been evacuated and flights and trains have been suspended as India’s eastern regions and Bangladesh braced for a severe cyclone.
Cyclone Dana is expected to hammer the low-lying regions of West Bengal and Odisha, home to around 150 million people, as a “severe cyclonic storm” late on Thursday or Friday morning, India’s weather bureau said.
At least 1.1 million people on India’s eastern coast were fleeing to storm shelters inland, just hours before the storm’s arrival.
The cyclone is travelling over the Bay of Bengal at a speed of 12kmph (7mph), about 260km (160miles) southeast of Odisha’s largest port of Paradip.
Officials predict winds gusting up to 120kmph (74mph).
“Heavy rainfall is expected, wind speed will slowly increase, and the highest wind speed is likely to occur tonight,” Director IMD, Manorama Mohanty, told ANI news agency.
More than 200 trains have been cancelled and flights to and from the capital cities of both states – Kolkata and Bhubaneswar – will also remain suspended from Thursday evening to Friday morning.
Key Points
- Over a million people evacuate as Cyclone Dana inches closer to India’s eastern coast
- When and where is Cyclone Dana making landfall?
- Flights suspended in Odisha and West Bengal
Mapped: Cyclone Dana path, landfall time and impact
12:37
Stuti Mishra
Cyclone Dana is barrelling toward India’s eastern coastline prompting mass evacuations, school closures, and significant disruptions.
The storm, currently packing wind speeds of 100-110kmph (62-68mph) and gusts up to 120kmph (74mph), is expected to make landfall late on Thursday night or early Friday morning along the coastlines of Odisha and West Bengal.
After landfall, it will continue to move inland causing rainfall throughout Friday until it dissipates entirely.
See the path of the storm:
12:00
Stuti Mishra
Heavy rainfall expected in Jharkhand
11:33
Stuti Mishra
As West Bengal and Odisha brace for landfall of Cyclone Dana, parts of neighbouring Jharkhand, are also expected to face heavy to very heavy rainfall starting from Thursday night.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for the Kolhan region, in East Jharkhand, which includes the districts of West Singhbhum, Seraikela-Kharswan, and East Singhbhum.
This alert signals the possibility of heavy rainfall ranging from 115 mm to 204 mm within a 24-hour period, two to four times London's monthly rainfall, which could lead to localised flooding.
Bangladesh braces for impact from Cyclone Dana
10:58
Stuti Mishra
As Cyclone Dana churns over Bay of Bengal, both India and Bangladesh are on high alert, though the impacts in Bangladesh are expected to be less severe compared to the Indian coast.
Cyclone Dana is set to make landfall between Puri in Odisha and Sagar Island in West Bengal late on Thursday or early Friday, with wind speeds of up to 120 kmph.
While the cyclone is not predicted to make direct landfall in Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has issued warnings for coastal districts such as Khulna, Barisal, and Satkhira, which may experience tidal surges 3 to 5 feet higher than normal.
Light to moderate rain, along with gusty winds, has already begun in these areas, and the rainfall is expected to continue for three days.
Maritime ports, including Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, Mongla and Payra, have hoisted local cautionary signal 3, and authorities have suspended inter-island ferry services and warned fishing boats to remain in safe harbour.
The potential for flooding and damage to crops, particularly winter vegetables, is a concern, especially in the southern districts of Bangladesh.
Indian Navy and disaster relief forces brace for Cyclone Dana
10:30
Stuti Mishra
The Indian Navy, along with disaster relief forces, is on high alert as Cyclone Dana approaches the Odisha and West Bengal coasts.
The Indian Navy has two ships on standby, ready to carry out humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
“The command is working closely with units such as the Base Victualling Yard (BVY), Material Organisation and the naval hospital INHS Kalyani to provide essential supplies and medical support if sought by the State administration,” the Navy said in a statement.
Meanwhile, hundreds of personnels from the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) were deployed in both states.
The team went door-to-door with loudspeakers making people aware of the cyclonic storm.
Indian Coast Guard issues storm alert ahead of Cyclone Dana
10:15
Stuti Mishra
‘Bengal will stand together and overcome,’ says governor
10:00
Stuti Mishra
West Bengal governor CV Anand Bose said on Thursday that the people of Bengal have braved many storms and will face Dana with confidence and patience.
"Bengal will stand together. India will stand together. We shall overcome," he said, according to PTI news agency.
Photos: Dark clouds loom over Bay of Bengal
09:45
Stuti Mishra
Cyclone Dana live: Schools closed and train cancelled
09:23
Stuti Mishra
Authorities in India's eastern states have closed schools, cancelled more than 200 trains, suspended flights and warned fishermen not to venture out to sea as Cyclone Dana inches closer.
The Eastern Railway has cancelled 190 local trains within West Bengal between 8pm on Thursday and 10am on Friday (2.30pm-4.30am GMT).
The last trains from coastal areas like Hasnabad and Namkhana will leave for Sealdah by 7pm on Thursday.
South Eastern Railway has announced the cancellation of over 150 express and passenger trains passing through or starting from Odisha between Wednesday and Friday. East Coast Railways in Odisha also cancelled 198 trains and 14 long-distance trains passing through the South East Central Railway zone have also been cancelled.
Meanwhile, schools, colleges and universities in 14 districts of Odisha will remain closed till Friday.
The West Bengal government has also ordered the closure of schools and colleges in nine districts till Friday.
Flights suspended in Odisha and West Bengal
09:06
Stuti Mishra
Flights and trains were suspended as India’s eastern regions braced for a severe cyclone, called Dana, on Thursday.
The international airport in Kolkata, capital of West Bengal, suspended all flight operations for 15 hours from 6pm local time (12.30pm GMT) on Thursday to 9am Friday.
The Bhubaneshwar airport in Odisha shut flight operations for 16 hours starting 5pm on Thursday (11.30am GMT) to 9am on Friday.
When and where is Cyclone Dana making landfall?
08:43
Stuti Mishra
Cyclone Dana is likely to make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra port early on Friday, according to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).
The landfall process will begin from Thursday night, lashing the eastern states of West Bengal and Odisha with heavy rainfall. Coastal areas can see a tidal surge of up to 2 metres.
The maximum speed during the landfall process is likely to be around 120 kmph, IMD DG Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said.
"Therefore, heavy rainfall, wind and storm surge will reach the peak during the landfall time which is between October 24 night and October 25 morning," he added.
Over a million people evacuate as Cyclone Dana inches closer to India’s eastern coast
08:28
Stuti Mishra
Cyclone Dana is expected to hammer the low-lying regions of West Bengal and Odisha, home to around 150 million people, as a “severe cyclonic storm” late on Thursday or Friday morning, India’s weather bureau said.
At least 1.1 million people on India’s eastern coast were fleeing to storm shelters inland, just hours before the storm’s arrival.
The cyclone is travelling over the Bay of Bengal at a speed of 12kmph (7mph), about 260km (160miles) southeast of Odisha’s largest port of Paradip.
Officials predict winds gusting up to 120kmph (74mph).
08:22
Stuti Mishra
Welcome to The Independent’s live blog on Cyclone Dana approaching India’s eastern coast. Stay tuned for the latest updates!
