With Cyclone Dana over the Bay of Bengal prone to intensify early Friday earlier than making landfall in neighbouring Odisha, the West Bengal authorities evacuated greater than 1.14 lakh folks from weak areas, together with Sundarbans and Sagar Island, to safer shelters, in accordance with an official assertion.
To assist the evacuation efforts, 13 battalions from West Bengal’s catastrophe administration crew and 14 battalions of the NDRF (Nationwide Catastrophe Response Drive) have been deployed within the coastal areas of the state, officers mentioned.
The state authorities has recognized 2,82,863 folks from the districts of Bankura, Hooghly, Howrah, North and South 24 Parganas, Paschim and Purba Medinipur and Kolkata for evacuation. Thus far, 1,14,613 folks have already been moved to security, they mentioned.
The evacuation is concentrated on transferring folks from coastal areas to shelters, particularly in South 24 Parganas district, which incorporates Sagar Island, Sundarbans, and Kakdwip. Residents of Kakdwip, Namkhana, Diamond Harbour, and Raichak have additionally been relocated to safer locations.
The state authorities has distributed tarpaulins and ensured that dry rations, powdered milk, and consuming water pouches can be found throughout these districts, getting ready for the potential disaster, the officers mentioned. “Our district groups are working around the clock to handle the evolving scenario,” state Hearth and Emergency Minister Sujit Bose mentioned.
On Tuesday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee mentioned the state is absolutely ready to cope with any catastrophe attributable to the approaching cyclone. She additionally introduced that colleges and ICDS (Built-in Youngster Improvement Companies) centres in 9 districts would stay closed from Wednesday until October 26 as a precaution.
She mentioned that district administrations have been instructed to relocate folks from low-lying areas to safer areas.
A centralised management room has been arrange on the state secretariat to carefully monitor the scenario. Management rooms have additionally been established in Purba and Paschim Medinipur, North and South 24 Parganas, Hooghly, and Howrah districts.
Heavy rainfall is predicted within the coastal districts, with Kolkata and surrounding areas prone to expertise heavy to very heavy rain. In coastal areas like Digha, Shankarpur, and Tajpur, authorities have suggested vacationers to remain indoors and keep away from going into the ocean as a security measure.
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) mentioned it’s on excessive alert and has mobilised its vessels.
“On receiving early warnings concerning the approaching cyclone, the ICG initiated intensive sea and air patrols in coordination with the Meteorological Division, repeatedly monitoring the cyclone’s development. As well as, ships from the Coast Guard’s japanese area, at present on patrol, have been tasked with shepherding fishing boats and different small vessels, guiding them to the closest shore to keep away from any hazardous conditions,” the Coast Guard mentioned.
The Coast Guard plane are additionally conducting aerial surveillance, relaying real-time updates to floor stations.
Native trains cancelled, flight companies at Kolkata airport suspended at this time
All flight operations at Kolkata airport will stay suspended for 15 hours — from 6 pm on October 24 (Thursday) to 9 am on October 25 (Friday) on account of the approaching Cyclone Dana, all set to make landfall within the neighbouring Odisha.
At the least 109 native trains within the Sealdah division have additionally been cancelled for Friday, officers mentioned. The India Meteorological Division (IMD) director mentioned wind speeds in Kolkata and surrounding areas might attain as much as 60-70 kmph, with gusting as much as 80 kmph, accompanied by heavy to very heavy rainfall.
“To make sure the security of passengers and plane, all stakeholders, together with ATC, CNS, and different key airport officers, unanimously determined to droop operations from 6 pm on October 24 to 9 am on October 25. Accordingly, NOTAM (discover to air missions) motion has been initiated,” learn an announcement issued by the Kolkata airport.
“We’re anticipating extreme crosswinds in the course of the cyclonic storm. Take off and touchdown of plane throughout such climate circumstances are very tough,” Kolkata airport Director Dr Pravat Ranjan Beuria instructed PTI.
The Japanese Railway additionally determined to droop all native prepare companies from Sealdah station, beginning 8 pm on Thursday till 10 am on Friday as a precautionary measure for the security of passengers within the Sealdah division, which serves six districts of West Bengal: North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Nadia, Murshidabad, Kolkata, and Howrah.
