Dana claims four lives in Bengal and submerges over 113 000 ha (280 000 acres) of crops in Odisha, India
At least four people have been reported dead due to Severe Cyclonic Storm “Dana” in the Indian state of West Bengal while over 113 312 ha (280 000 acres) of crops have been submerged in the state of Odisha as of Saturday, October 26, 2024.
Flooding at Panchlingeshwar temple in Balasore, Odisha due to Cyclone "Dana". Image Credit: Odisha Weatherman
- Preliminary estimates indicate that Severe Cyclonic Storm “Dana” submerged 113 312 ha (280 000 acres) of crops and damaged an additional 71 000 ha (175 000 acres) of crops in Odisha.
- Four people have been reported dead in parts of West Bengal due to the storm.
- Of the 800 000 people who were shifted to shelters in Odisha due to the storm some have been allowed to return home as the weather improved.
- Over 2 million homes experienced power outages in Odisha; power supply was restored to approximately 1.4 million homes by Friday evening, October 25.
Preliminary estimates indicate that Severe Cyclonic Storm “Dana” submerged 113 312 ha (280 000 acres) of crops and damaged an additional 71 000 ha (175 000 acres) of crops in Odisha, according to Principal Secretary of Agriculture and Farmer Empowerment, Arabinda Padhi.
The state government has ordered a joint assessment of crop loss due to the cyclone by officials from the Agriculture and Revenue Departments, Padhi added.
Dana made landfall in Odisha on Friday, October 25, bringing strong winds and heavy torrential rains that led to severe flooding across West Bengal and Odisha. Some people were seen people traversing through waist-deep waters with their belongings on their heads to escape the floods.
According to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, approximately 800 000 people were relocated to shelters due to the cyclone, some of whom were allowed to return home once the weather improved.
Over 2 million homes experienced power outages; power supply was restored to approximately 1.4 million homes by Friday evening, October 25, with the remaining expected to receive power on Saturday.
The damage assessment in Odisha will begin on Saturday and is scheduled for completion within seven days, as per the state government’s directive. For now, major road blockages caused by fallen trees have been cleared in the affected regions.
Meanwhile, in the state of West Bengal, as of Saturday, the death toll has risen to four. One civic volunteer died after touching a live wire in Purba Bardhman district’s Bud Bud area while working with a police team.
An employee of the Howrah Municipal Corporation was found dead on a waterlogged road in the Tantipara area, suspected to have drowned on Friday. Two others were reported dead after being electrocuted on Friday, one in the Patharpratima area in South 24 Parganas district and another in South Kolkata’s Bhabanipur area.
References:
1 Cyclone Dana Causes Extensive Damage in Odisha; Assessment To Be Completed Within 7 Days – OTV– October 26, 2024
2 Cyclone Dana: Two more deaths reported in West Bengal, toll rises to 4 –DH– October 26, 2024
Rishav Kothari is Editor-in-Chief of The Watchers, where he runs the newsroom and covers earthquakes, volcanoes, severe weather and space weather.
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