Odisha Prepares for Cyclone Dana
Efforts Led by Fire Services DG Sudhanshu Sarangi
In Bhubaneswar, Odisha, preparations are underway for Cyclone ‘Dana’. Sudhanshu Sarangi, the Director General of Odisha Fire Services, announced that 182 teams, comprising nearly 2000 personnel, are ready to tackle the cyclone. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts that Cyclone Dana will intensify into a severe storm over the northwest Bay of Bengal by October 24.
Odisha Fire Services Chief Sarangi stated, “We are fully geared up for the cyclone. We have 182 teams of Fire and Rescue Services of Odisha which is nearly about 2000 people. We will cover all the 14 districts which will be affected.” Additionally, 20 teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 400 personnel from the State Disaster Force are prepared, along with support from the Forest department.
Khorda Sub Divisional Magistrate Dipti Ranjan Sethi emphasized that evacuation plans are in place for all blocks, and necessary preparations, including the removal of hoardings, have been made. “If needed, we will evacuate people, and there are arrangements for food and water,” Sethi assured.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi held a meeting to evaluate the state’s readiness, aiming to relocate 90% of residents by 11 AM the next day. He reported that 3-4 lakh people have already been evacuated. Majhi stated, “The state government is taking cyclonic storm ‘Dana’ very seriously. Arrangements are in place for the affected districts, including Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore, Jagatsinghpur, and Puri.”
Former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also urged vigilance, highlighting the state’s strong disaster management policy. Teams from the NDRF in Odisha and West Bengal, along with rescue teams from the Army, Navy, and Coast Guard, are on high alert.
Doubts Revealed
Odisha -: Odisha is a state in eastern India, known for its rich culture and beautiful coastline along the Bay of Bengal.
Cyclone Dana -: Cyclone Dana is a powerful storm system that forms over the ocean and can cause strong winds and heavy rain when it reaches land.
Fire Services DG -: DG stands for Director General, who is the head of the Fire Services department responsible for managing fire safety and emergency situations.
Sudhanshu Sarangi -: Sudhanshu Sarangi is the Director General of Fire Services in Odisha, leading the efforts to prepare for Cyclone Dana.
Bay of Bengal -: The Bay of Bengal is a large body of water to the east of India, where many cyclones form due to warm ocean temperatures.
Evacuation -: Evacuation means moving people from a dangerous place to a safer area to protect them from harm, like during a cyclone.
Chief Minister -: The Chief Minister is the head of the government in an Indian state, responsible for making important decisions and policies.
Mohan Charan Majhi -: Mohan Charan Majhi is the current Chief Minister of Odisha, leading the state’s efforts to handle Cyclone Dana.
Naveen Patnaik -: Naveen Patnaik is a former Chief Minister of Odisha, known for his work in improving the state’s disaster management policies.
NDRF -: NDRF stands for National Disaster Response Force, a special team in India trained to handle emergencies like cyclones and floods.
Army, Navy, and Coast Guard -: These are branches of India’s defense forces. The Army protects on land, the Navy at sea, and the Coast Guard helps with maritime safety and rescue operations.
