Cyclone Dana Approaches: Schools Closed in Odisha
- Posted on October 22, 2024
- News
- By Arijit Dutta
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Cyclone Dana is expected to make landfall between Puri, Odisha, and Sagar Island, West Bengal, on October 24. In preparation, schools in 14 districts will close from October 23-25, and authorities are readying emergency services and evacuation plans.

As Cyclone Dana approaches the eastern coast of India, authorities have taken significant precautions to ensure public safety. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal will intensify into a cyclone by October 23, with landfall expected on the night of October 24, potentially between Puri in Odisha and Sagar Island in West Bengal.
In preparation for the cyclone, Odisha's Director General of Police, Sudhansu Sekhar Sadangi, assured the public that police and emergency services are ready to respond to any challenges that may arise. Efforts are underway to retrieve fishermen currently at sea, with monitoring teams assessing the cyclone’s path to determine the areas most at risk.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi confirmed that the state government is well-prepared, having devised a comprehensive evacuation plan for vulnerable areas. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), and local fire services are on standby. Kendrapara, Balasore, and Bhadrak are expected to be the most impacted districts.
In response to the imminent threat, schools in 14 districts, including Puri, Khurda, Ganjam, and Jagatsinghpur, will be closed from October 23 to 25. The IMD has issued a red warning for heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, with predictions of up to 20 cm of rain in some areas. Additionally, the launch of a ₹450 crore passenger terminal at the Petrapole border, originally set for October 23, has been postponed due to the cyclone.
Also Read: Cyclone Dana Set to Hit Odisha: How the Storm Got Its Name
As the region braces for Cyclone Dana, emergency shelters are being stocked with essential supplies to assist those in need.