Cyclone Dana Causes Havoc in West Bengal: 2.16 Lakh Evacuated

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced the evacuation of 2.16 lakh people to relief camps following Cyclone Dana's impact in West Bengal. The IMD reported the cyclone's landfall in north Odisha, causing heavy rainfall. Meanwhile, flight operations at Kolkata's airport resumed after suspensions due to the cyclone.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday reported that 2.16 lakh individuals have been evacuated to relief camps as a response to the havoc wreaked by Cyclone Dana. At a press conference, Banerjee emphasized the hard-hit districts, especially areas with kaccha houses, noting that district magistrates and police superintendents, alongside other officials, are actively managing the situation.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Dana made landfall on the north Odisha coast as a severe cyclonic storm, with winds reaching speeds of 100-110 kmph, gusting to 120 kmph. This storm has prompted warnings of isolated extremely heavy rainfall over south Gangetic West Bengal, particularly in the Medinipur regions.

The National Disaster Response Force's Deputy Inspector General, Mohsen Shahedi, confirmed that they are gathering detailed reports from the field. He also noted that normal services, including air operations at Kolkata's Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, have been restored following disruptions caused by the cyclone.

(With inputs from agencies.)