Cyclone Dana: Work day delayed in Kolkata due to heavy rains and waterlogging

Cyclone Dana, classified as a severe cyclonic storm, made landfall in Odisha late Wednesday night, bringing with it heavy winds, rain, and disruption across the coastal regions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that Cyclone Dana crossed the coastline between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra shortly after midnight on October 24 with wind speeds reaching up to 110 kmph.

The coastal districts of Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Balasore, and Jagatsinghpur bore the brunt of the storm, with strong winds leading to the uprooting of trees and widespread rainfall. Roads in Bhadrak district were blocked due to fallen trees, which disrupted local transportation. A revenue department official confirmed that reports of tree uprooting were received at the office of the Special Relief Commissioner, though no major casualties or significant structural damage have been reported so far.

As the cyclone moved inland, heavy rains and gusty winds continued to lash the coastal areas of Odisha, with local authorities ensuring that all precautionary measures were in place. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams were deployed in vulnerable areas to assist in relief operations, while evacuation efforts were already underway in low-lying regions.

In West Bengal, coastal areas such as Digha and Bakkhali experienced strong winds and heavy downpours, but Kolkata and its suburbs were largely spared from major disruption. Residents of the city reported heavy morning rain, but the storm did not cause any significant impact beyond localized flooding in some areas. However, the heavy rain surely did delay the workforce.

The IMD had earlier forecasted the possibility of high storm surges along the coastline, and authorities had issued warnings for both Odisha and West Bengal. Fishermen and boat operators had been advised to suspend activities, and residents were urged to stay indoors until the storm passed.

Despite the intense winds and rain in Odisha and parts of West Bengal, the cyclone’s landfall has not resulted in any serious casualties, as confirmed by early reports. The administration is closely monitoring the situation as Cyclone Dana weakens over the next 24 hours while continuing to bring rainfall to the region.