Cyclone Dana: Evacuation underway in Odisha ahead of landfall

Bhubaneswar, Oct 24: Evacuation drive is underway in many coastal districts of Odisha ahead of landfall of Cyclone Dana. 

Bhadrak district administration on Thursday evacuated people to cyclone shelters ahead of Cyclone Dana's expected landfall on October 25, tomorrow.

Bhadrak Collector Dilip Routrai told, "We are evacuating people from vulnerable areas. Some people are coming to shelters on their own, while some are being brought by police as they don't want to leave their homes and valuables."

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"3 NDRF teams are deployed, 1 is stationed at the headquarters 2 are in the field. We have 2 ODRF teams and 4 Fire Department teams are at work," he added.

People residing in coastal areas of Kendrapara district started heading to safer areas on Wednesday as officials used loudspeakers to warn people of the dangers of the cyclone.

Villagers from Magarakandha, Satabhaya, Pentha, Rangani, Talachua, Suniti, Karandiapatana, Jamboo, Batighar, Badatubi and Sanatubi were seen moving to government shelters from low-lying areas on the day.

“Around 70,000 people residing in low-lying areas of Rajnagar and Mahakalapada will be evacuated to the shelters and schools by today evening.  If needed, the administration will force people to vacate their houses,” said district emergency officer Ashok Das.

The district administration has declared all two-storey buildings owned by government and non-government organisations along schools and colleges as cyclone shelters.

Similarly, people of Erasama, Kujang, Paradip, Balikuda, Naugaon and other areas of Jagatsinghpur district were seen moving to shelters this morning, who are wary of leaving behind their belongings.

The cyclone is likely to make a landfall between Bhitarkanika national park in Rajnagar block and Dhamra in Bhadrak on Thursday, said IMD DG Mrutyunjay Mohapatra. Cyclone Dana: Bhubaneswar and Cuttack Brace for Heavy Rain, Detailed Timeline