Bhubaneswar, Oct 25: Thousands of emergency workers are actively clearing fallen trees from highways, removing debris from buildings, and repairing uprooted electricity poles and mobile towers as Odisha begins its restoration efforts following the devastation of Cyclone Dana.
Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are working to remove uprooted trees in various villages, including Dhamara, after the cyclone made landfall along the state's coast. Residents in Dhamra, Bhadrak, and surrounding areas experienced turbulent seas, strong winds, and heavy rainfall as a result of the storm.
Shantanu Mohanty, the Additional District Magistrate of Bhadrak, said that vulnerable individuals have been evacuated to cyclone shelters. "Electricity and other services have been restored. Fire Services, ODRF, and NDRF teams have been deployed," he said. He also noted a red alert in Bhadrak due to anticipated heavy rain and advised residents to stay indoors. The weather department expects the cyclone to gradually weaken into a cyclonic storm by this afternoon.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday, reviewed the situation with Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari and Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja at Rajiv Bhavan in Bhubaneswar. The state has successfully achieved its goal of 'zero casualties' amidst the severe cyclonic storm, thanks to proactive administration and preparedness. "Nearly 600,000 people have been relocated to safety, including 6,000 pregnant women moved to health centers," Majhi stated.
Worth mentioning, Cyclone Dana made landfall between Bhitarkanika and Dhamra shortly after midnight, prompting district collectors to begin damage assessments promptly.
