Bhubaneswar. The deep depression over the Bay of Bengal transformed into Cyclonic Storm ‘Dana’ on Wednesday morning and a day later (Thursday) it is likely to hit the coasts of Odisha and West Bengal. The Indian Meteorological Department said, “The deep pressure area formed yesterday over east-central Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestwards at a speed of 18 km per hour during the last six hours and intensified into Cyclonic Storm Dana. The cyclonic storm is likely to intensify further and reach the coast of North Odisha and West Bengal between Puri district and Sagar Island between October 24 (night) and October 25 morning. During this period, winds will blow at a speed of 100-110 kilometers per hour and can reach a speed of 120 kilometers per hour. In this regard, the Odisha government has taken several precautionary measures, including evacuation of residents living in about 3,000 identified sensitive places in the affected districts and deployment of Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and fire services in these districts. Includes deployment of personnel.
288 rescue teams including 51 ODRAF, 19 NDRF and 178 fire service teams have been deployed in 13 districts for rescue and relief purposes following the arrival of Cyclonic Storm Dana. Nearly 6,000 cyclone shelters and relief centers have been set up by the state government for people evacuated from sensitive locations in the affected districts. Special arrangements have been made for women at these centres. The district administration has made adequate arrangements for food items, essential medicines, water and electricity in relief centers and cyclone shelters. The state government has set a target of evacuating about 10 lakh people to safe places. The government has also identified more than 8,000 pregnant women, who are being sent to nearby hospitals for safe delivery. About 700 electrical gangmen are ready for deployment in the affected districts for quick restoration of power after the cyclone. It is noteworthy that Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had earlier claimed that the state government aims to ensure zero casualties in the cyclone.