Heavy rains and wind hammer Odisha, West Bengal as Cyclone Dana makes landfall

Giving an update on the storm, IMD posted on X: "THE SEVERE CYCLONIC STORM “DANA” (PRONOUNCED AS DANA) MOVED NORTH-NORTHWESTWARDS WITH A SPEED OF 10 KMPH AND LAY CENTRED AT 0730 HRS IST OF TODAY, THE 25TH OCTOBER, OVER NORTH COASTAL ODISHA NEAR LATITUDE 21.10° N AND LONGITUDE 86.80°E, ABOUT 30 KM NORTH-NORTHWEST OF DHAMARA AND 50 KM NORTH-NORTHWEST OF HABALIKHATI NATURE CAMP (BHITARKANIKA). LANDFALL PROCESS CONTINUES AND THE REAR SECTOR OF THE CYCLONE IS ENTERING INTO LAND. THE LANDFALL PROCESS WOULD CONTINUE FOR NEXT 1-2 HOURS."

Dana has been classified as a severe cyclonic storm.

Heavy winds were reported from the coastal districts of Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Balasore.

According to reports, roads were blocked in Bhadrak district after trees were uprooted due to heavy rains.

No casualty has been reported so far.

Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi said the state government is monitoring the situation.

"I reviewed the post-storm situation at the office of the Special Relief Commissioner. After making landfall, the impact of the storm is gradually diminishing. A detailed discussion has been conducted to assess and normalize the situation," he posted on X.

"The government is monitoring the situation after the storm. With the assessment of the damage caused by the storm, orders have been given to speed up the provision of relief, rescue, communication, and necessary assistance in the current situation. The people's government is working with the people's safety as our first duty, 'Zero Casualty' seriously," he said.

In neighbouring West Bengal, heavy rains were reported from the coastal regions.

Heavy rains also lashed state capital Kolkata.

After remaining suspended for several hours, flight operations began from Kolkata and Bhubaneswar airports after 8 am.

South Eastern Railway and Eastern Railway cancelled several trains amid inclement weather.