Cyclone Dana live updates: Storm expected to make landfall in Odisha on early Friday, says IMD

Cyclone Dana live updates: The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) announced on Wednesday that Cyclone ‘Dana’ is expected to make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra port in Odisha early on Friday.

Cyclone Dana live updates: As Cyclone ‘Dana’ formed over the Bay of Bengal on Wednesday, the Odisha government sped up the evacuation of people from coastal areas and sent 288 rescue teams to vulnerable spots in 14 districts, officials said. The state has already deployed 19 NDRF teams, 51 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force teams, and 178 Fire Services teams, with 40 more teams sent to affected areas. On Wednesday morning, the Indian Air Force airlifted 150 NDRF personnel and relief supplies to Bhubaneswar using two aircraft.

Cyclone Dana live updates: In preparation for the expected landfall of Cyclone Dana on the Odisha and West Bengal coasts, two Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft on Wednesday transported 150 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel and relief supplies to Bhubaneswar, according to an IAF official.

Cyclone Dana live updates: More than 150 express and passenger trains running through South Eastern Railway jurisdiction have been cancelled in view of the possibility of formation of a severe cyclonic storm which is likely to hit Odisha-West Bengal coasts on October 25.

Cyclone Dana live updates: Odisha, which is likely to bear the brunt of the cyclone, has kept ready around 800 cyclone shelters for people to be evacuated from vulnerable areas, according to a minister.

Cyclone Dana news live updates: The deep depression over the east-central Bay of Bengal has moved west-northwest at 18 kmph over the last six hours and has intensified into a cyclonic storm named Dana.

Cyclone Dana news live updates: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced on Wednesday morning that a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal has strengthened into a cyclonic storm called ‘Dana.’ The storm is anticipated to escalate into a severe cyclone, projected to hit the eastern coast between Puri in Odisha and Sagar Island in West Bengal, with wind speeds potentially reaching 120 km per hour on October 25.

Cyclone Dana news live updates: Odisha food supplies and consumer affairs minister Krushna Chandra said all officials have been instructed to take action against anyone involved in black marketing food items or selling vegetables at inflated prices.

Cyclone Dana live updates: As Cyclone Dana approaches the coasts of Odisha and West Bengal, Odisha's revenue and disaster management minister Suresh Pujari announced the establishment of over 5,000 relief centers and plans to evacuate approximately 10 lakh people.

Cyclone Dana live updates: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi asked all MLAs to work with the administration on rescue and relief efforts as the state prepares for the cyclone.

Cyclone Dana live updates: In response to the IMD forecast, the Odisha government has issued alerts for 14 districts, including Angul, Puri, Nayagarh, Khordha, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Balasore, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Ganjam, and Mayurbhanj.

Cyclone Dana live updates: The Odisha government has planned to shift more than 10 lakh people from 3,000 villages in 14 districts to relief camps, with half of the state's population likely to be affected by the impending cyclone

Cyclone Dana live updates: East Coast Railways has cancelled 198 trains passing through and originating from Odisha. Schools in Bengal and Odisha will remain shut.

Cyclone Dana live updates: The IMD has cautioned fishermen against going out to sea from October 23 to 25, as wind speeds are expected to reach 60 kilometres per hour (kmph) along the Odisha-West Bengal coasts, with a gradual increase anticipated thereafter.

Cyclone Dana live updates: The Indian Coast Guard has deployed helicopters and remote operating stations at Haldia in West Bengal and Paradip in Odisha to broadcast regular weather warnings and safety advisories to fishermen and mariners.

Cyclone Dana live updates: The West Bengal government announced that schools and academic institutions in several parts of the state will remain closed after the IMD issued a notice about Cyclone Dana, expected to hit the state’s coast by October 24.