Major Odisha Ports Brace For Cyclone Dana: Signal 10 Hoisted

by Argus News

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

As Cyclone Dana approaches, Odisha's three major ports—Paradip, Dhamra, and Gopalpur—have raised Signal 10, the highest alert for impending danger. The cyclone, packing winds of up to 120 kilometers per hour (kmph), is expected to make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port by early Friday, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Bhubaneswar, Oct. 24: As Cyclone Dana approaches, Odisha's three major ports—Paradip, Dhamra, and Gopalpur—have raised Signal 10, the highest alert for impending danger. The cyclone, packing winds of up to 120 kilometers per hour (kmph), is expected to make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port by early Friday, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Coastal districts are already feeling the impact, with heavy rains and gusting winds beginning Thursday morning. Cloudy skies and intermittent downpours have heightened the concerns of local residents. Paradip recorded 51 mm of rain on Wednesday night, while Chandbali experienced 39 mm.

Manorama Mohanty, Director of the Regional Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, confirmed, "Great Danger Signal 10 has been issued at Paradip, Dhamra, and Gopalpur ports, while Signal 8 is currently active at Gopalpur." Signal 10 signifies the imminent arrival of severe weather, with winds exceeding 89 kmph, while Signal 8 warns of winds between 63-87 kmph. As a precaution, port operations at Paradip and Dhamra have been halted.

The IMD has also predicted high tides ranging from 0.5 to 2 meters along the coastline during the cyclone's landfall. Dhamra, expected to be the worst affected, lies directly in the cyclone's path. Odisha’s Higher Education Minister, Suryabanshi Suraj, after reviewing the port's readiness, said, “The eye of Cyclone Dana will pass through Dhamra, putting the entire area in the danger zone. Evacuations are already underway, and port authorities are working to minimize the cyclone’s impact.” He also added that he would stay in Dhamra overnight to supervise the preparations personally.

In a special bulletin on Thursday morning, the IMD confirmed that Cyclone Dana had intensified into a severe cyclonic storm over the central and northwest Bay of Bengal, moving at a speed of 15 kmph. By 2:30 PM, it was located 280 km southeast of Paradip, 310 km south-southeast of Dhamra, and 370 km south-southeast of Sagar Island in West Bengal. The cyclone is forecasted to move northwest, with landfall expected between Puri and Sagar Island, near Bhitarkanika and Dhamra, late Thursday night or early Friday morning. Wind speeds during landfall are predicted to range from 100-110 kmph, with gusts reaching 120 kmph.

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Cyclone Dana Set To Be Severe; Armed Forces On High Alert In Odisha, Bengal

by Hemanta Pande

New Delhi, Oct 24: Cyclone Dana is expected to severely impact the coastal regions of Odisha and West Bengal. In response, the Indian Navy has launched extensive preparations for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations.

The Eastern Naval Command has activated its disaster response mechanism in coordination with naval officers stationed in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal. Two ships from the Eastern Fleet have been deployed with essential supplies, including rescue and diving teams, to support relief efforts by sea.

The Indian Navy remains on high alert, closely monitoring the situation, and has assured full support to those affected by the cyclone.

The Ministry of Defence has also stated that medical aid will be provided upon request from state authorities. For this, the Navy is in coordination with units such as Base Victualling Yard (BVY), Material Organisation, and Naval Hospital INHS Kalyani.

As part of the preparedness, the Navy has stockpiled essential items such as clothing, drinking water, food, medicines, and emergency supplies. Disaster response pallets have been strategically positioned on roads and key areas likely to face damage from the cyclone.

In addition to naval efforts, flood relief and diving teams are on standby, ready for coordinated rescue and relief operations.

The Indian Air Force and Coast Guard have also taken precautionary measures to safeguard life and property in the region. The Indian Air Force has airlifted 150 NDRF personnel and 25 tonnes of relief supplies to Bhubaneswar using IL-76 and AN-32 aircraft. Moreover, marine vessels, aircraft, and remote-operating stations in West Bengal and Odisha have been activated to address any emergency situation.

The Ministry of Defence said that all necessary precautions have been taken by the Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard to mitigate the impact of Cyclone Dana.

The severe cyclonic storm Dana is expected to hit the Odisha coast between Bhitarkanika in Kendrapara district and Dhamra in Bhadrak district on October 24 night and October 25 morning. After landfall, it is expected to slightly recurve towards the west and west-south direction triggering heavy rainfall in South Odisha districts on October 26.

Several coastal districts in Odisha have been receiving rainfall since Wednesday afternoon and the wind speed has been continuously increasing in the districts. As per reports, trees were uprooted at some places in the coastal districts and the fire services personnel and other rescue teams were busy clearing the roads on Thursday.

--IANS

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"Govt Is Prepared," Says Deputy CM Kanak Vardhan On Severe Cyclonic Storm Dana

by Utkalika Mohanty

"Govt is prepared," says Odisha Deputy CM Kanak Vardhan on severe cyclonic storm Dana

Bhubaneswar, Oct 24: Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo on Thursday said that the government is fully prepared and all the concerned departments and staff are ready to deal with any situation that arises due to severe cyclonic storm Dana's landfall.

Speaking to ANI in Bhubaneswar, Odisha Deputy CM Deo said, "The Government is prepared. All concerned departments of the Government are in position and all officers & workers of the various departments of the Government are in place and ready to tackle any eventuality...

Each and every department of the Government, including the Chief Minister, Urban Minister, Revenue Minister, everybody is seized of the situation and we are taking whatever necessary steps that need to be taken at the ground level. Rather than creating a fear psychosis amongst the people, we should be more proactive and give justice to the people..."

India Meteorological Department Director General Mrityunjay Mohapatra said that severe cyclonic storm Dana's most adverse impact will be over Odisha followed by West Bengal coastal districts.

Speaking to ANI in Delhi, IMD DG Dr Mrityunjay Mohapatra said, "The cyclone Dana intensified into a severe cyclonic storm last midnight and moved north north-westward and today in the forenoon it is lying centered about 200 km southeast."

"The most adverse impact will be over Odisha followed by West Bengal coastal districts, but after landfall, it is expected to move west-northwestward and hence there could be an increase in rainfall activity over south Jharkhand. We also issued heavy to very heavy rainfall warnings for south Jharkhand districts at isolated places. There could be a wind speed of 40 to 50 Km/hr in Jharkhand and 50 to 60 Km/hr in interior districts of Odisha on the 24th and 25th," he added.

Earlier today, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi haired a high-level meeting to review the preparedness for severe Cyclone Dana at Lok Seva Bhavan in Bhubaneswar. Minister of Revenue and Disaster Management, Suresh Pujari was also present at the meeting.

Odisha Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra said that everyone is on alert in the areas where the cyclone is expected to make landfall.

Speaking to ANI, Odisha Minister Mahapatra said, "All the ministers have been given responsibilities to look after the affected areas. One IAS officer to each district has also been deployed... All are alert in those places where the cyclone is expected to make landfall. Officers are working sincerely, our party workers are also working."

Evacuation started earlier today for people living in Dhamara and Bhadrak in Odisha, with people being brought to the cyclone shelter, according to officials.

Additionally, teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in both Odisha and West Bengal have been placed on standby.

Meanwhile, the Indian Navy is preparing to conduct Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations in anticipation of the severe impact of Cyclone Dana along the coast of Odisha and West Bengal, according to officials.

Eastern Naval Command, in coordination with Naval Officers-in-Charge (NOIC) in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal, has activated a comprehensive disaster response mechanism. The command is working closely with units such as the Base Victualling Yard (BVY), Material Organisation and the naval hospital INHS Kalyani to provide essential supplies and medical support if sought by the State administration, Indian Navy said.

(ANI)

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2nd Test: Washington, Ashwin Amongst Wickets As New Zealand Reach 201/5 At Tea

by Hemanta Pande

Pune, Oct 24: Ravichandran Ashwin took his third wicket of the innings while Washington Sundar picked two scalps in the last three overs of an engrossing second session as New Zealand reached 201/5 in 62 overs at tea on day one of the second Test against India at the MCA Stadium here on Thursday.

Resuming from 92/2 in the post-lunch session, Devon Conway started with a cracking cover drive off Jasprit Bumrah to get his fifty. He then capitalised on width from Bumrah’s deliveries by punching off the backfoot and opening the face of the bat late to get back-to-back boundaries.

From the other end, Rachin Ravindra began to find his groove by using Bumrah’s pace to run through the gap between slip and gully for four. Conway continued to be impressive with his drive and reverse sweeps, before poking at a short on a spinning away ball from Ashwin, with the edge caught by Rishabh Pant.

Ravindra took over the run-scoring mantle by lofting Ravindra Jadeja for six, before beautifully flicking Akash Deep for four more. After getting his fifty with a stylish flick going through the hands of short mid-wicket for four, Ravindra had two more boundaries coming off Akash via cut and outside edge.

The 59-run stand for the fourth wicket between Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell was brought to a halt by Washington, who turned the tide for India at the fag end of the second session with his dip and drift. Washington got a tossed-up delivery to turn away sharply from the middle stump and hit the top of the off-stump.

On outclassing Ravindra with a peach of a delivery, Washington leapt highly in the air. At the stroke of tea, Washington again brought joy to himself and the Indian team by getting a length ball to grip and turn sharply into Tom Blundell, who aimed for a flick but was castled through the gate. Big wickets from Washington in the last 10 minutes of the second session mean India have set themselves a chance to bowl out New Zealand in the final period of the day.