Cyclone ‘Dana’ weakens into well marked low pressure area, likely to become insignificant

BHUBANESWAR: The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that the Cyclone ‘Dana’ has weakened into a “well-marked” low-pressure area and is likely to further weaken to become insignificant.

Cyclone ‘Dana’ hit the Odisha coast on Friday, uprooting trees, snapping power lines in several areas, and killing a person in West Bengal. The storm made landfall between Bhitarkanika and Dhamra in Odisha with wind speeds of 100-110 kmph.

In a post on X, IMD said, “The depression (remnant of severe cyclonic storm “DANA”) over north Odisha moved slightly westwards during the past 6 hours and weakened into a well-marked low-pressure area over the same region. It is likely to weaken further and become insignificant during the next 12 hours”.

#WATCH | Boats anchored at coast due to strong winds amid effects of cyclone ‘Dana’ in Odisha’s Kendrapara pic.twitter.com/q9Q1A78oP1

— ANI (@ANI) October 24, 2024

Earlier, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Mahji informed that 4,431 pregnant women have been shifted to health centres, with 1,600 childbirths reported, and all mothers and babies are healthy. “The situation is being monitored 24/7. With Lord Jagannath’s blessings, we will successfully overcome the cyclone”, he said.

Addressing a press conference, CM Majhi said that eight lakh people have been evacuated so far and restoration of electric wires is under way. He also informed that the officials are facing problems due to continuous rain.

“Odisha is safe now. After the landfall of the cyclone, I reviewed the situation, and due to teamwork, we achieved zero casualties. We had evacuated eight lakh people. Many relief centres are still open. Restoration of electric wires is going on. We are facing problems due to continuous rain. Crops of 1.75 lakhs hector have been damaged. The Budhabalanga River is flooded but it is flowing below the danger level”, he said.

The Odisha CM also highlighted that 158 platoon police forces were deployed for the security of people in cyclone-affected areas. “I thank all who are working day and night. They would need to work for another 48 hours”, he added.

Odisha Deputy CM K V Singh Deo also highlighted that there have been zero casualties and 90 per cent of electricity damage has been restored. “There has been zero casualty. One cattle was reported lost. Restoration works have been done. About 90 per cent of electricity damage has been restored. All government officers have done their work properly. We have given instructions to submit their damage reports”, he said. (ANI)