As Cyclone Dana barrels toward Odisha’s coast, the state is bracing for its landfall tonight, with an intensified focus on safeguarding human lives and reducing potential damage. Over three lakh residents have been evacuated to safer areas across multiple districts, as the state government takes every possible precaution to face the storm. Odisha’s Chief Minister emphasised that the evacuation target was 10 lakh, with more than 30% of the goal already achieved by Wednesday evening. In a significant operational move, Bhubaneshwar airport has suspended flights for 17 hours, leading to cancellations and delays of around 45 flights. Emergency response teams, including 182 fire and rescue personnel, have been strategically stationed across the 14 most vulnerable districts.
Cyclone Dana, currently located approximately 460 km southeast of Paradip, is predicted to impact key coastal districts like Kendrapara, Bhadrak, and Jagatsinghpur. While there is an air of caution, former Chief Minister urged citizens to stay calm, drawing attention to Odisha’s resilience in past cyclonic events. He reiterated the importance of taking precautions to ensure personal and familial safety, while also acknowledging the community’s enduring strength in such challenging circumstances.
The state’s leadership has made concerted efforts to address the looming crisis with a robust response plan. The Chief Minister reaffirmed that resources are in place, with evacuation efforts gaining momentum and priority given to the areas forecast to be most affected. The goal is to relocate at least 90% of the targeted population by midday today, ensuring minimal casualties and a well-coordinated response to the severe storm threat.
From a sustainability perspective, managing such large-scale evacuations and potential infrastructural damage requires an all-encompassing strategy. Cyclones such as Dana not only disrupt daily life but also threaten long-term environmental sustainability. Efforts to rebuild after the storm will focus on resilient infrastructure, minimising environmental degradation, and promoting sustainable rebuilding practices in the face of increasing climate-related challenges. This proactive, climate-conscious approach positions Odisha as a model in managing natural disasters, balancing immediate responses with longer-term sustainability goals.
