Cyclone Dana Arrives: 13 Bihar Districts on High Alert, Train Services Disrupted

Patna: Cyclonic storm Dana, forming in the Bay of Bengal, is expected to make landfall in Odisha and West Bengal today, October 24, with its effects rippling across several states. The storm’s influence will be felt in 13 districts of Bihar, while 20 districts, including Bhagalpur, Munger, Gaya, and Purnia, are forecasted to experience rainfall.

According to the Meteorological Center, wind speeds in Bihar could reach between 20 to 40 kilometers per hour due to Cyclone Dana. The most affected districts include Bhagalpur, Banka, Jamui, Nalanda, Sheikhpura, and Kishanganj. The storm’s impact began to manifest as early as Wednesday evening, with strong winds and heavy rainfall reported in Katihar, Munger, and Jamui.

In light of the storm, 12 trains within Bihar have been canceled as a precautionary measure. Additionally, all flights to and from Kolkata have been grounded.

In West Bengal, heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in East and West Medinipur, South and North 24 Parganas. Kolkata, Howrah, and Hooghly are also bracing for significant rainfall between October 23 and 24.

Odisha is on high alert, particularly in Puri, Khurda, Ganjam, and Jagatsinghpur districts, which are likely to experience extremely heavy rainfall of over 20 cm, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning.

Andhra Pradesh’s Rayalaseema region is also under warning, with forecasted heavy rains and wind speeds ranging from 30 to 50 kilometers per hour. Flood-like conditions have already emerged in parts of Karnataka even before the storm’s full arrival.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are preparing for five days of heavy rainfall, as per the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).

Cyclone Dana is expected to cause damage to life and property, including risks of lightning strikes, crop and tree damage, and destruction of slums and non-permanent structures. Residents are urged to take shelter in concrete houses and avoid seeking protection under trees, particularly isolated ones, which can conduct electricity during lightning.

Farmers have been advised to postpone agricultural activities until the weather stabilizes.

In addition to the 12 trains canceled in Bihar, over 150 trains across the South-East Railway Zone, covering parts of West Bengal, Odisha, and Jharkhand, have been canceled. Officials indicate the number of canceled trains could rise as the storm progresses.

In West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced the closure of primary and secondary schools in nine districts as a precaution. Schools will remain shut until October 26 to ensure student safety during the storm.

Cyclone Dana was named by Saudi Arabia, with “Dana” translating to “generosity.” The naming convention for storms requires a name when wind speeds exceed 62 kilometers per hour. If winds reach or surpass 137 kilometers per hour, the storm officially becomes a cyclonic storm.

Meteorologist SK Patel stated that while the storm will bring strong winds and rain, it is unlikely to have a significant impact on the cold weather in Bihar. Most areas, except for East and South Bihar, will experience cloudy skies but little to no temperature drop.

Despite the challenges posed by Cyclone Dana, timely warnings and precautionary measures have been implemented to mitigate its potential damage across the affected regions.