Severe cyclonic storm Dana crossed the coast of Odisha on Friday, October 25, 2024, hitting the Kendrapara district with weakened intensity. Fortunately, the destruction was much less than initially feared. In West Bengal, heavy rains and gusty winds affected Kolkata and nearby southern districts. Sadly, one person died in Patharpratima, South 24 Parganas.

The India Meteorological Department reported that the storm crossed Habalikhati Nature Camp in Kendrapara between 1:30 a.m. and 3:30 a.m. on Friday, with wind speeds reaching 100 to 110 km per hour. It later weakened to a cyclonic storm over north coastal Odisha, with maximum sustained winds of about 80 to 90 km per hour.

Heavy rainfall was recorded, with 16 cm near Chandbali in Bhadrak and Rajkanika in Kendrapara. The storm surge reached 1 to 2 meters above the astronomical tide in low-lying areas of Bhadrak, Balasore, and Kendrapara.

While there were reports of uprooted trees and minor damage to power infrastructure, major destruction was avoided. Crop damage was less than anticipated. However, vehicle movement was briefly disrupted in the morning due to fallen branches, but disaster response teams quickly cleared the roads.

The Chief Minister has instructed officials to monitor North and South 24 Parganas and Paschim and Purba Medinipur districts, which were most affected by the cyclone, over the next 48 hours. She also emphasized the need for field surveys to assess damage to agricultural land.

Several areas in West Bengal, including Diamond Harbour, Kalaikunda, Sagar Island, Kharagpur, Haldia, Mohanpur, Jhargram, Uluberia, Kakdwip, Medinipur, Kolkata, Digha, Contai, and Barrackpore, experienced very heavy rainfall.

Source: Media Reports