Cyclone Dana: Nandankanan Zoo To Remain Closed For Two Days

Bhubaneswar, Oct 23: In view of the impending cyclone Dana, the Nandankanan Zoo and State Botanical Garden in Bhubaneswar will remain closed for visitors on October 24 and 25, officials said on Wednesday.

“In view of the impending cyclonic storm ‘Dana’ over Bay of Bengal, the Nandankanan Zoological Park and State Botanical Garden shall remain closed for visitors on 24.10.2024 & 25.10.2024,” reads a notification issued by the Deputy Director, Nandankanan Zoological Park.

Yesterday, the Nandankanan Zoological Park authorities conducted a mock drill as part of its preparation to counter its possible impact due to the severe cyclonic storm.

The Park’s dedicated team of personnel, officers, veterinarians and animal keepers have received advisories on how to safeguard the animals during this impending storm.

Earlier, the authorities had closed Similipal Tiger Reserve in Mayurbhanj district and Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapara district for tourists from October 23 to 25 in view of the impeding cyclone.

Notably, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted that the impending cyclonic storm Dana is expected to hit the Odisha coast between Bhitarkanika of Kendrapara district and Dhamara area of Bhadrak district on October 24 and 25.

IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said that coastal areas of Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore districts are likely to witness high tidal waves surging up to 1 to 2 meters in height due to the effect of the cyclone Dana.

Meanwhile, the Odisha government has taken several precautionary measures, including evacuation of the residents living in around 3,000 identified vulnerable places in affected districts, deployment of Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Fire Services personnel in these districts.