Cyclone ‘Dana’ struck the eastern coast of India late Thursday night, causing heavy rainfall and widespread disruptions, particularly in Odisha and neighboring states. Forming over the Bay of Bengal, Dana made landfall between Bhitarkanika in Kendrapara district and Dhamra in Bhadrak district, Odisha, with intense wind speeds of up to 110 kmph. The cyclone’s landfall began at 12:05 a.m. and lasted until 8:30 a.m. on Friday, after which its winds slowed to about 10 kmph, signaling a reduction in its immediate impact on coastal areas.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasted Cyclone Dana to move northwestward through Odisha on Friday, gradually weakening into a deep depression by evening. This shift was expected to bring intense rainfall across parts of Odisha, West Bengal, and Jharkhand, affecting both daily life and emergency operations. Coastal areas of Odisha began experiencing heightened rainfall on Thursday, which are likely to persist throughout Friday as the cyclone moved inland.
The cyclone’s effects were most intense in Odisha, where incessant rain and strong winds created significant damage. Bhadrak and Kendrapara districts were among the hardest hit, with rainfall expected to exceed 30 cm. In response, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi reported that approximately 5.84 lakh residents were relocated to relief camps as a precaution against flooding and storm surges. The intense winds uprooted trees and caused considerable property damage, with fallen trees damaging vehicles and infrastructure, leading to widespread disruptions in multiple areas.
As the cyclone subsided, transportation services began to resume. Flight operations restarted on Friday morning at both Kolkata and Bhubaneswar airports. The first flight departed from Kolkata at 8:40 a.m., restoring normalcy to schedules after extensive disruptions the previous night. Indian Railways also announced the resumption of most train services connecting Odisha and West Bengal, except for some previously cancelled routes.
During the cyclone’s peak impact, over 300 flights were cancelled at Bhubaneswar and Kolkata airports between 5:00 p.m. on Thursday and 8:00 a.m. on Friday. In addition, 552 trains operating under the South East Railway, East Coast Railway, Eastern Railway, and South East Central Railway zones were halted as a safety measure to prevent accidents.
Cyclone Dana’s reach extended well beyond Odisha, affecting seven states across eastern and southern India. In West Bengal, the state government took preventive action by relocating 83,000 people to temporary relief camps due to heavy rainfall and strong winds. Neighboring states such as Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and Tamil Nadu also reported adverse weather conditions. Local administrations in these states implemented safety measures and provided assistance to vulnerable communities to mitigate the cyclone’s effects.
As Cyclone Dana continues to weaken, authorities are closely monitoring its residual impacts. Efforts are underway to support affected communities, with emergency teams aiding in relief and recovery operations across the impacted regions. The immediate focus remains on restoring essential services, clearing debris, and providing shelter and supplies to those affected. With the cyclone dissipating, authorities are hopeful for a swift recovery while taking stock of the damage inflicted across eastern India.
