Cyclone Dana Unleashes Heavy Rains As It Makes Landfall Between Bhitarkanika And Dhamra

Cyclone Dana, which formed over the Bay of Bengal, made landfall on October 24, 2024, between Odisha’s Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra, unleashing torrential rains and severe winds across the region. The storm, with wind speeds up to 120 km/h, brought widespread flooding and heavy rainfall across coastal Odisha. Bhadrak, Kendrapara, and other nearby districts were hardest hit, with waterlogging disrupting transportation and power lines damaged due to the gale-force winds. Rescue and relief operations were launched swiftly as authorities had prepared for the cyclone’s impact. Odisha's government had preemptively evacuated over 100,000 people from low-lying areas, setting up relief shelters to accommodate displaced residents. Major rivers, including the Baitarani and Brahmani, swelled from the heavy downpour, raising concerns over potential breaches of embankments. Fishermen were warned to stay off the seas, and several ports, including Paradip, suspended operations. Schools and offices were shut down in anticipation of the storm's intensity. In addition to the physical damage, the cyclone’s effects were felt in agricultural regions, where standing crops were severely impacted, leading to potential concerns for farmers in the aftermath. Relief efforts are underway, with the Indian Coast Guard and National Disaster Response Force teams deployed for search and rescue. The Indian Meteorological Department continues to monitor the cyclone's movement, predicting that rains will persist for another 48 hours in the affected regions, with potential for inland flooding in some areas. Cyclone Dana, although not unprecedented for this region, highlights the increasing intensity of tropical cyclones in recent years, driven by warmer ocean temperatures. The government’s preparation, while mitigating loss of life, faces challenges in rebuilding infrastructure and restoring normalcy in the affected areas.