The deep depression over Bay of Bengal is expected to strengthen into a severe cyclonic storm by Thursday morning, as per updates from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday morning. It is anticipated to make landfall on the coastal areas between northern Odisha and southern West Bengal on Thursday night and Friday morning.
In West Bengal, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas and Purba Medinipur districts are likely to bear the burnt of cyclone Dana, which will touch the coasts between Odisha’s Puri and West Bengal’s Sagar Island. Additionally, Kolkata's neighbouring districts Howrah, Hooghly, Bankura, Paschim Medinipur and Jhargram will also be affected.
The West Bengal government is taking extra precaution to mitigate the impact of the storm. The administration has begun evacuating people from vulnerable areas to relief centres. Integrated control rooms have been established at Nabanna, the state secretariat, and at the district level as well.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has instructed the respective district magistrates (DM) and superintendent of police (SP) to stay vigilant. She has also asked her party’s public representatives to be present for relief works. Teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed across vulnerable areas.
The state administration has suspended all ferry services and prohibited fishermen from going out to sea. Tourists have been advised against travelling to coastal areas from Wednesday to Saturday. Additionally, schools and colleges in vulnerable districts have been ordered to remain shut between Wednesday and Saturday.
Eastern Railways have announced suspension of 160 suburban train services from 8 pm on Thursday to 10 am on Friday in the south section of the Sealdah Division and on the Sealdah-Barasat-Hasanabad line.
Meanwhile, CM Mamata also took a dig at the Damodar Valley Corporation on Tuesday. Following incessant rains last month, DVC had released large volumes of water. It led to widespread flooding of more than 1,000 square kilometres in West Bengal’s multiple districts, impacting over five million people.
“When we will be facing the rain, make sure not to release additional water to worsen the situation. I have already informed that the DVC should not release water in the coming few days,” the CM told the media.