Odisha's Bhadrak district experienced severe disruptions early on Friday as Cyclone Dana made landfall in the eastern state. Strong winds and heavy rains saw trees uprooted and roads blocked, with the cyclone's landfall expected to last a few more hours, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The IMD reported wind speeds of 100-110 km/h, with gusts reaching 120 km/h, saying, "The severe cyclonic storm 'Dana' moved north-northwestwards with a speed of 12 kmph and lay centred over north coastal Odisha, about 15 km north of Dhamara and 30 km north-northwest of Habalikhati nature camp (Bhitarkanika)."
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Odisha's Revenue and Disaster Management Minister, Suresh Pujari, noted that approximately 10 districts are likely to be affected. "Around 10 districts are likely to be affected by the cyclone, comprising 60 blocks, 2131 villages, 12 urban local bodies, and 55 wards in different urban local bodies. The evacuation process has already reached its conclusion...Three lakh seventy-seven thousand people have already been evacuated...," he said.
Odisha has taken extensive measures to prepare, including the establishment of 5209 cyclone shelters and evacuating over 3,62,000 people from vulnerable areas. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the state’s preparedness with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and assured central support.
