Bhubaneswar: The severe cyclonic storm Dana started impacting the Odisha coast as it moved closure towards the coastline.
The coastal and adjoining districts including Bhubaneswar started experiencing rain with little wind while the sea condition has become very rough near Kendrapara and Dhamra in Bhadrak district. The sea started moving towards the coast with high tidal surges and the wind speed has also increased.
The severe cyclonic storm Dana lay within 200 km of the Odisha coast this afternoon, the IMD said.
The cyclone is expected to make landfall near Dhamra and Bhitarkanika this mid-night with a wind speed upto 120 kmph.
Meanwhile, the state government also expedited evacuation efforts in the coastal districts, as Chief Minister Mohan Charan Shri Majhi held a review meeting and directed officials to ensure zero casualty due to the natural calamity.
Shri Majhi said about three lakh people have been shifted to various cyclone shelters and the operation is continuing. A total of 7,285 cyclone centres have so far been set up, and 91 medical teams deployed.
Meanwhile, the IMD issued a ‘red warning’ (take action) for heavy to very heavy rainfall in seven districts – Mayurbhanj, Cuttack, Jajpur, Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur – on Thursday.
An ‘orange warning’ (be prepared to take action) has been sounded in five districts for heavy rain, including Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh and Dhenkanal for the period.
Reports about uprooting of trees have been received from some areas of Balasore, Bhadrak, Bhitarkania and Puri, leading to blocked roads, officials said.
The authorities have also engaged 19 teams of the NDRF, 51 teams of the ODRAF and fire services personnel in shifting people and clearing blocked roads, the officials said.
Due to the impact of the cyclone Dana, electricity infrastructure has been damaged in several areas of Kendrapara district. Tata Power has deployed dedicated teams, who are on-site and working to restore power supply.
“We remain committed to providing reliable electricity while prioritizing public safety during this challenging time,” the Tata Power said on X.