Cyclone Dana Strikes Odisha: Uprooted Trees, Blocked Roads and Evacuations Underway

Bhadrak (Odisha), October 25, 2024: Cyclone ‘Dana’ has caused significant disruption in Odisha’s Bhadrak district, uprooting several trees and blocking roads due to gusty winds and incessant rains.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported wind speeds of 100-110 km/h, gusting to 120 km/h, as the cyclone made landfall. IMD confirmed that the landfall process will continue for the next 1-2 hours, gradually weakening by noon.

Odisha’s Revenue and Disaster Management Minister, Suresh Pujari, announced the completion of evacuation efforts, covering around 10 districts. “The evacuation process has already reached its conclusion… Three lakh seventy-seven thousand people have been evacuated, including 3654 pregnant women,” he stated.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the preparedness with Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi, assuring central support. With 19 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and over 51 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) units on standby, the state is making efforts to manage the cyclone’s impact effectively.