Indian cyclone Dana hit the eastern coast of India fiercely, causing large blockages across Odisha, West Bengal, and neighboring areas. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the fall took about eight and a half hours, while it began late last Thursday night and extended into Friday morning. In the aftermath of the storm, the Congress party has requested that the central government provide all support and take every kind of preventive measure so that those citizens affected are safe and sound.
The severe cyclonic storm Dana began landfall at 12:05 AM on Thursday and ended at 8:30 AM on Friday. Strong winds, heavy rains, and storm surges accompanied by rough waves pounded into the eastern coast, threatening the low-lying places. IMD issued warnings for all the states along Odisha and West Bengal as well as the remaining coastal areas regarding the probable flooding, properties damaged, and power outages. Thousands of residents evacuated to safer places as Cyclone Dana reached land with a combination of gusty winds, heavy rains, and high tide. This cyclone disrupted normal life in the region.
Odisha has experienced an intense precautionary evacuation and emergency response by the state government with the coastal districts, especially Puri, Balasore, and Jagatsinghpur, remaining under tight vigil. The various roads were flooded, and high gusts of wind had interrupted the power supply and communication services in the affected districts. The local authorities, in coordination with NDRF, swung into action to clear debris, restore electricity supply, and ensure that all basic amenities were made available to those affected by the storm.
West Bengal also faced heavy showers and squally winds as Cyclone Dana advanced. Waterlogging was reported in many places, and some coastal infrastructure came under extreme stress due to turbulent conditions. Fishermen were advised not to venture into the sea till conditions became normal. The updates from the IMD continued their service to guide evacuation and prompt action by the disaster management teams to minimize damage and casualties.
During this crisis, the Congress party asked the central government to take adequate steps to assist the affected states. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge brought to notice quick and efficient response measures in facilitating public safety and the right resources to be made available in regions fighting Cyclone Dana’s effect.
Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, had also appealed for a united response to the crisis. He also emphasized collaboration between central and state governments as well as between NGOs to reach those in distress. He asked the citizens in vulnerable locations to strictly abide by the guidelines of safety measures and wait there until the storm subsided.
As reported by the IMD, the track and intensity of Cyclone Dana were closely monitored while it was landfalling. Even as it inhaled into the land, the weather experts cautioned that the residual heavy rain and strong winds may continue, affecting a wider area in eastern India. The IMD has alerted the local administrations to be alert and to keep observing the situation as any sudden changes in weather may call for more emergency responses.
Impact and Response
Significant restoration and relief activities are likely following the landfall of Cyclone Dana, which is assessing various districts of Odisha as well as West Bengal because schools and educational institutions also got closed there as a safety measure while transportation and medical aids were kept on high alert regarding emergencies.
The state governments of Odisha and West Bengal have been coordinating with the central government to get as much help as possible regarding financial support and resources. Relief camps have been provided for residents who have lost their houses, and food and medicine have been delivered to these affected people. Public health and sanitation teams are doing their best to prevent any outbreak of water-borne diseases after the rains.
Other than the government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and local volunteer groups have manned support activities that include evacuation, medical assistance, as well as relief material distribution. The NDRF, along with the local authorities, has been attempting to restore normalcy by cleaning up the blocked roads, conducting rescue operations, and quickly repairing communication networks badly disrupted.
While emergency relief is at the forefront, experts argue that this is a good time to initiate longer-term plans for the development of coastal resilience and preparation for future cyclonic activity. Better early warning systems, infrastructural development, and community awareness programs will be needed to minimize severe weather impacts on vulnerable populations.
Conclusion
With Cyclone Dana progressing inland, all matters of public safety and reinstating basic services supersede everything else; it is also a step toward taking help for the communities to regain whatever they lost from the disaster. Active participation must come from NGOs and the public, combined with efforts from all local, state, and central authorities. It is in this respect that the call by the Congress party for overall government support underlines the bigger expectation of solidarity and cooperation when natural disasters strike. Efficient disaster management and timely intervention will play a pivotal role in minimizing losses and gradually building a stronger coastal region for the future.
Source: PTI