Cyclone Dana: 7 districts in Bengal put on high alert, 24/7 control rooms set up

Purba and Paschim Medinipur and North and South 24 Parganas districts are among the seven districts put on high alert.

In Short

• Wind speeds during cyclone Dana landfall can reach 120 kmph
• Bengal government, Kolkata civic bodies set up control rooms
• Residents advised to stay indoors, fishermen not to venture into sea

The West Bengal government on Tuesday issued orders putting seven districts in the state on high alert in the wake of the growing concerns around cyclone Dana.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stated that the government was ready to tackle the issue and was taking care of the situation through a 24x7 control room.

"As per the IMD (India Meteorological Department), the storm could turn into a severe cyclone and make landfall on 25th early morning. Wind can gust to 120 kmph. East Midnapore could be affected along with North and South 24th Parganas, and Kolkata as well due to heavy rainfall. Our government is ready to tackle the issue. We have a 24x7 control room", the Chief Minister told reporters.

Purba and Paschim Medinipur and North and South 24 Parganas districts are among the districts put on high alert.

The Kolkata Municipal Corporation has also launched a 24x7 control room of its own in view of the cyclonic storm. The Central Control Room of CMO Buildings and KMC will be active for 24 hours from 2:00 pm onwards on October 23 up to October 26 till the cyclonic effect subsides, officials said.

During this time, all types of leaves for the employees involved in key civic activities like sewerage and drainage, lighting and electricity, parks and squares, roads, market, water supply, building, supply, health, municipal secretary and advertising departments shall stand cancelled.

Also, the respective Controlling Officers of the Departments shall allocate roaster duty to the staff required to be maintained for emergency purposes beyond office hours.

The copy of the roaster duty should be forwarded to the office of the Mayor, Municipal Commissioner, Municipal Secretary and Officer-in-Charge of the Control Room, of the KMC for ready reference.

Similarly, Borough Executive Engineers (Civil) shall set up a Control Room at their respective boroughs manned by officers/staff from various departments.

Meanwhile, residents have been warned of heavy rainfall, high winds, and storm surges associated with the cyclone. Fishermen are advised to refrain from venturing into the sea due to hazardous conditions.

Earlier, the low pressure area over the Bay of Bengal will likely intensify into a severe cyclonic storm and will likely cause landfall in Odisha's Puri and West Bengal's Sagar Island during Thursday night (October 24) and Friday (October 25), as per an IMD report.

It will likely intensify into a cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal on Wednesday, the weather body said.

Roads and railway services may be affected in coastal areas due to the cyclone.