Odisha braces as intensified Cyclone Dana set to make landfall
Odisha, with its long history of devastating cyclones, is once again preparing for Cyclone Dana, which has intensified into a severe cyclone as it prepares to make landfall in Odisha late on Thursday evening.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has increased the threat level of the cyclone and has issued warnings of heavy rainfall and powerful winds, adding to the state’s cyclone legacy.
The cyclone, forecast to bring wind speeds of 100-110 kmph with gusts up to 120 kmph, poses a serious threat to the coastal state. This tropical cyclone, developing between the Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer, may cause substantial damage to property, infrastructure and livelihoods across the state.
Cyclone Dana is likely to bring light to moderate rainfall across most districts of Odisha, with extremely heavy downpours anticipated in isolated areas such as Baleswar, Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak, Kendrapara and Cuttack. The IMD has projected that districts like Khorda and Puri, due to their proximity to the coast, will face significant rainfall and potential flooding.
Odisha, which has a long history of battling cyclones, has undertaken massive precautionary measures. Over one million people have been evacuated from vulnerable areas, with particular attention to the coastal regions. Odisha’s Chief Minister, Mohan Charan Majhi, has directed district administrations to ensure the completion of evacuation efforts before Cyclone Dana makes landfall.
To support the state’s preparedness efforts, 20 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, 51 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams, and 200 fire services teams have been deployed, along with 158 platoons of police. The government is taking no chances, having identified over 3,000 vulnerable locations across 14 districts, mostly along the coast.
All flights have been cancelled at all airports in Odisha as well as in Kolkata, the hub of eastern India and flights are unlikely to resume before Friday late morning. Dozens of rail services, too, have been cancelled or diverted due to the cyclone. The impact has spread to West Bengal as well since the Eastern Railway has also decided to suspend all local train services from Sealdah station in Kolkata due to the cyclone.
A history of Cyclones
Odisha and West Bengal have a long history of being vulnerable to deadly cyclones. The Bay of Bengal serves as a breeding ground for these powerful storms, which often bring with them torrential rains, storm surges, and devastating winds that wreak havoc on coastal regions.
Though the region has been hit by cyclones for centuries, over the past two decades, Odisha and West Bengal have experienced some of the deadliest cyclones, causing massive destruction, loss of life and long-term socioeconomic impacts. Here are five of the most devastating cyclones that have hit these regions:
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Cyclone Phailin
Cyclone Phailin, one of the most powerful tropical cyclones ever recorded in the Bay of Bengal, made landfall in Odisha in 2013. Classified as a Category 5 equivalent storm, Phailin had wind speeds reaching up to 215 kmph when it struck the coast near Gopalpur. The cyclone caused widespread destruction, affecting nearly 13.2 million people in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. Homes were destroyed, trees were uprooted and massive flooding occurred across several districts.
Despite its severity, the state government of Odisha successfully evacuated more than a million people, which significantly reduced the loss of life. Still, the storm claimed 44 lives, caused extensive damage to infrastructure and devastated large agricultural areas. Phailin’s impact on the economy was staggering, with the estimated damages exceeding USD 700 million.
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Cyclone Hudhud
Cyclone Hudhud made landfall in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, in 2014, but its effects were also felt in southern Odisha. A Category 4 equivalent cyclone, Hudhud brought winds exceeding 175 kmph and caused extensive damage in both Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. The storm caused massive flooding, destruction of homes and widespread power outages in several districts.
Although Andhra Pradesh bore the brunt of the storm, southern Odisha also suffered significant losses, particularly in the districts of Ganjam and Gajapati. The cyclone claimed 124 lives across India, primarily due to flooding and the collapse of buildings. Hudhud caused an estimated USD 3.4 billion in damage, with a substantial portion of that being agricultural losses.
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Cyclone Fani
Cyclone Fani, an extremely severe cyclonic storm, hit in 2019, near the temple town of Puri. With wind speeds of up to 205 kmph, it was the strongest cyclone to hit the state since Phailin in 2013. Fani caused widespread damage, including the destruction of thousands of homes, power outages and disruptions to water supplies. It also severely impacted the tourism sector, particularly in Puri, a major pilgrimage and tourist destination.
Fani affected more than 15 million people across 14 districts in Odisha, claiming 64 lives in India. Although early warnings and mass evacuations more than 1.2 million people were moved to safety, helped limit the loss of life, the cyclone’s economic impact was devastating. The cyclone caused approximately USD 1.81 billion in damage, particularly to infrastructure, agriculture, and livelihoods. Restoration efforts took months, with power and water supply taking weeks to return to normal in some areas.
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Cyclone Amphan
Cyclone Amphan was the most powerful cyclone to form in the Bay of Bengal since 1999, making landfall in West Bengal near the Sundarbans in 2020. It was classified as a super cyclonic storm, with wind speeds of up to 185 kmph. The cyclone caused widespread devastation in both West Bengal and Odisha, particularly in Kolkata and the surrounding regions. Large portions of the Sundarbans mangroves were submerged and millions of homes were damaged or destroyed.
Amphan killed 129 people and displaced 4.9 million more from their home, with the majority of casualties in West Bengal. The cyclone also left millions without power or shelter and caused extensive flooding in Kolkata, leading to significant challenges in recovery and relief efforts. The total economic loss from Cyclone Amphan was estimated at USD 13.5 billion, making it one of the costliest storms in the region’s history. The destruction of infrastructure, crops, and livelihoods had long-lasting effects, particularly in rural areas.
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Cyclone Yaas
Cyclone Yaas made landfall near Balasore, Odisha, in 2021, as a very severe cyclonic storm with wind speeds reaching up to 150 kmph. Yaas brought widespread flooding, heavy rains, and storm surges that submerged large parts of coastal Odisha and West Bengal. Low-lying areas were particularly affected and the cyclone displaced millions of people.
In Odisha, the government evacuated more than 1.5 million people before Yaas made landfall, minimising the death toll. However, Yaas claimed around 20 lives across India and caused widespread destruction, particularly in coastal villages and agricultural areas. In West Bengal, the storm surge led to severe flooding in the Sundarbans and other low-lying areas, affecting livelihoods and causing immense damage to homes. The total economic impact of Cyclone Yaas was estimated to be around USD 2.7 billion, with severe damage to agriculture, fisheries and infrastructure
Odisha and West Bengal, due to their geographic location along the Bay of Bengal, remain highly vulnerable to cyclones, which often result in significant loss of life and property. While the Indian government and state authorities have made remarkable improvements in disaster preparedness and response, particularly through early warnings and mass evacuations.
Yet, the economic and social toll of these storms is profound and lasting.