Bhubaneswar: After slamming the Odisha coast near Havelikhati Nature Camp in Bhitarkanika around midnight, Cyclone Dana wreaked havoc in several districts. The landfall process started from midnight and continued till the morning, at a speed of 100-110 km/h and gusts up to 120 km/h as per IMD.
With the wind speed and storm surge, as mentioned above Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Jagatsinghpur and Balasore districts have been severely impacted. Some part of the coastal line experienced sea surges up to one and half kilometres in shore with tidal waves up to three metres. A lot of crop, houses and structures have been worst affected, trees have been brought down along with electric supplies.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi speaking to the media today said that whereas the cyclone was very destructive the quantum of damage was controlled mainly because of teamwork and promptness. Thanks to the Lord, we succeeded in handling this cyclone or storm as it can be called appropriately. Taking cognisance of the situation, I extend my gratitude to all the rescue teams, administrative officials and all the inhabitants,” Majhi said. In regards to obstacles created by downed trees, he promised that these would be removed by 1 pm, and where electricity services have been affected, they will be back on in the evening.
Cyclone Yaas was not as devastating as Cyclone Fani that hit the same region in 2019, said the IMD’s Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra . “The cyclone has hit the regions as predicted with Kendrapara and Bhadrak suffering worst of the storm. The velocity of wind was 100-110 kilometres per hour, and will further reduce during today, he added.
With the help of emergency services, about 1600 deliveries in countries’ health centres were transferred to other areas, according to the data, both mothers and newborns are healthy. The district administration has now begun surveying the extent of the lost and the flights were back to the normal from 9a.m.this morning.
Bhadrak and Kendrapara districts were hit worst while Jagatsinghpur and Balasore districts were also in the eye of the storm. Superintendents cautioned that with water content in the soil and precipitation, water logging in the finer parts of the basin and increase in river volume may happen in the next few hours on the Brahmani and Baitarani river banks. This risk could be further spiked by heavy rainfall in Keonjhar.
The Odisha government is still closely following the development and mustering its switch teams for aiding the residents and to eliminate disruptions as soon as possible.