Thousands of residents along India’s eastern coast have fled to storm shelters ahead of the arrival of Cyclone Dana, which is expected to hit later this week. The cyclone is predicted to strike the coasts of West Bengal and Odisha, home to around 150 million people, as a “severe cyclonic storm,” according to the Indian Meteorological Department.
The storm is expected to make landfall near the coastal city of Puri, a popular tourist destination, late Thursday night. In preparation, authorities in West Bengal have begun evacuating over 100,000 people from vulnerable coastal areas, said state government minister Bankim Chandra Hazra.
“All educational institutions in nine districts have been ordered to close until Sunday,” Hazra added.
Meanwhile, authorities in Odisha have canceled around 200 trains to ensure public safety, as reported by local media. The Indian Meteorological Department has also advised fishing crews to avoid the seas during the cyclone. Officials at Kolkata’s international airport, one of the busiest in India, are contemplating halting all air traffic from Thursday to mitigate potential disruptions.
Tourists in coastal regions of West Bengal and Odisha have been asked to evacuate beach resorts and move to safe shelters. According to railway spokesman Kaushik Mitea, there has been a significant rush of tourists leaving Puri ahead of the storm.
Cyclone Dana comes just months after Cyclone Remal, which claimed at least 48 lives in May. While improved weather forecasting and evacuation efforts have reduced casualties in recent years, scientists warn that climate change is intensifying cyclones, making them more powerful and dangerous.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation as the storm approaches, urging residents and tourists to prioritize their safety.
