Odisha CM chairs meeting, reviews preparedness for ‘Cyclone Dana’ in Bhubaneswar

Odisha Prepares for Cyclone Dana as CM Mohan Majhi Reviews Readiness

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi chaired a high-level meeting in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday to assess the state's preparedness for the impending Cyclone Dana, which is set to make landfall between October 24 and 25 along the Odisha and West Bengal coasts. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari and Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling were also present. The Health Department is on high alert, with instructions issued to all CDMOs, and leaves cancelled to ensure full readiness. Health Minister Mahaling emphasized that preparations have been made to tackle issues like snakebites and that Chief Minister Majhi is personally monitoring the situation.

Meanwhile, former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik urged the public to stay calm and cooperate with authorities, highlighting the state’s disaster management policy, which has been instrumental in handling previous cyclones. In a video message, Patnaik reminded the people of the state’s resilience and effective disaster response strategies, asking everyone to prioritize their safety.

NDRF teams are intensifying evacuation efforts, with 20 teams deployed in Odisha and 13 in West Bengal. According to NDRF DIG Mohsen Shahidi, the goal is to complete the maximum evacuation before Cyclone Dana makes landfall. The Army, Navy, and Coast Guard have also been placed on high alert with rescue teams, ships, and aircraft ready for immediate deployment. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) stated that the cyclone is expected to intensify into a severe storm, with wind speeds between 100-110 km/h, gusting up to 120 km/h, as it crosses the northern Odisha and West Bengal coasts, near Bhitarkanika-Dhamra, between October 24 and 25.