As Cyclone Dana approaches, the West Bengal government has announced the closure of schools in nine districts from October 23 to October 26. The affected districts include South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas, Purba Medinipur, Paschim Medinipur, Jhargram, Bankura, Hooghly, Howrah, and Kolkata. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that Cyclone Dana will intensify into a severe cyclonic storm, with landfall expected between late October 24 and early October 25.
Forecast and Impact
The IMD has warned that the depression over the Bay of Bengal is likely to develop into a cyclonic storm by October 23. It is expected to cross the coasts of Odisha and West Bengal between Puri and Sagar Island, bringing wind speeds of 100-110 km/h, gusting to 120 km/h. Both states are bracing for heavy rains and strong winds as the storm makes its approach.→ In West Bengal, heavy to very heavy rainfall is anticipated in districts such as Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas, Paschim Medinipur, and Jhargram on October 24 and 25. The IMD has advised fishermen to avoid venturing into the sea from October 23 to 25, as winds along the Odisha-West Bengal coasts are expected to reach 60 km/h and intensify further as the storm approaches.
School Closures in West Bengal
In light of the impending storm, the West Bengal government has taken precautionary measures by closing schools across nine districts:
→ South 24 Parganas
→ North 24 Parganas
→ Purba Medinipur
→ Paschim Medinipur
→ Jhargram
→ Bankura
→ Hooghly
→ Howrah
→ Kolkata
These closures aim to ensure student safety during the severe weather conditions expected from Cyclone Dana.
Precautionary Measures in Odisha
In preparation for Cyclone Dana, the Odisha government has also declared a three-day closure of schools in 14 districts, including Ganjam, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, and Cuttack. Special Relief Commissioner Deoranjan Kumar Singh announced these closures in a letter to district collectors.→ The Odisha government has requested additional teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to bolster existing teams already positioned in vulnerable areas. Odisha’s Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari confirmed that NDRF teams are being mobilized to assist in high-risk districts.→ Additional Special Relief Commissioner Padmanav Behera stated that 17 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams will be deployed across ten districts most likely to be affected by the storm.
Government Responses
The IMD’s Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra emphasized that Odisha will experience significant impacts from Cyclone Dana. He noted that heavy rainfall and strong winds are likely in northern Odisha.→ In response to the impending storm, the Odisha government has canceled all staff leaves from October 23 to 25, ensuring that all hands are on deck for emergency management.→ The IMD has issued an orange warning for several districts in Odisha, indicating heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in isolated areas such as Kendrapada, Cuttack, Nayagarh, Kandhamal, and Gajapati.
Conclusion
As Cyclone Dana approaches landfall, both West Bengal and Odisha are taking proactive measures to ensure public safety. With school closures and emergency response teams mobilized across affected regions, authorities are preparing for what could be a significant weather event.
Final Thoughts
Residents in high-risk areas are urged to stay updated through official channels and adhere strictly to safety advisories issued by local authorities. The IMD and state governments emphasize the importance of preparedness as Cyclone Dana nears landfall.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute emergency advice. Always follow guidance from local authorities and meteorological departments during severe weather events.
