The inauguration of the ₹450 crore modern passenger terminal at Petrapole on the Indo-Bangladesh border, originally scheduled for October 23, has been postponed.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning that a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal could intensify into Cyclone Dana by October 23, with landfall anticipated between Puri in Odisha and Sagar Island in West Bengal on the night of October 24.
Odisha’s Director General of Police, Sudhansu Sekhar Sadangi, has confirmed that the police are fully prepared to handle any situations that may arise due to the storm.
“We are closely monitoring the cyclone’s path to determine whether it will impact Bangladesh or Odisha. Our actions will be based on its trajectory, but preparations are already in place,” Odisha’s Director General of Police, Sudhansu Sekhar Sadangi, told reporters.
Sadangi also mentioned that efforts are underway to bring back the fishermen who have ventured into the sea. By tomorrow, officials will have a clearer idea of which districts are likely to be affected, and their response will be shaped accordingly.
What we know so far about Cyclone Dana:
1. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has confirmed that the state government is fully prepared to handle any challenges posed by Cyclone Dana.
2. The government has developed a comprehensive evacuation plan for vulnerable areas, with teams from the NDRF, ODRAF, and fire services on standby.
3. Three districts—Kendrapara, Balasore, and Bhadrak—are expected to be the most affected by the cyclone.
4. Advisories have been issued to agricultural officers and district collectors to ensure prompt evacuation of any accumulated rainwater.
5.Energy grids and emergency transmission towers in districts likely to be impacted are under close surveillance.
6. Cyclone shelters will be stocked with essential supplies and commodities.
7. The IMD has issued a red warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall (7 to 20 cm), with isolated areas expecting extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 20 cm, along with thunderstorms and lightning in Puri, Khurda, Ganjam, and Jagatsinghpur on October 24.
8. Special Relief Commissioner DK Singh has instructed the school and mass education department to close schools in 14 districts likely to be affected from October 23 to 25 as a precaution.
9. The weather office has forecasted heavy rain for West Bengal’s coastal districts, including Purba and Paschim Medinipur, and North and South 24 Parganas, on October 23.
10. The inauguration of the ₹450 crore modern passenger terminal at Petrapole on the Indo-Bangladesh border, originally scheduled for October 23 with Home Minister Amit Shah, has been postponed due to the approaching Cyclone Dana.
