ODISHA, BENGAL ON HIGH ALERT, CYCLONE TO LAND AT 120 KM/H

Lakhs of people evacuated More than 400 trains cancelled Flight suspended

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Authorities in Odisha and West Bengal evacuated lakhs of people, shut schools, cancelled more than 400 trains and suspended flight operations as they braced on Thursday for severe cyclonic storm Dana, which is expected to make landfall in Odisha past midnight at a speed of 120kmph.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department, 'Dana' moved north-northwestwards with a speed of 13 kmph on Wednesday and lay centred about 90 km southeast of Paradip (Odisha), 110 km south-southeast of Dhamara (Odisha) and 210 km south of Sagar Island (West Bengal).

Odisha's Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said the government has deployed 385 rescue teams comprising 19 NDRF teams, ODRAF (51), Fire Service (220) and Forest staff (95).

This apart, as many as 150 platoons (1 platoon comprises 30 personnel) of Odisha Police personnel have been pressed into service for rescue, road clearing and other activities at the ground level.

Claiming that the state was well prepared at the ground level to face the eventuality, Pujari said as many as 3.50 lakh people have so far been evacuated to the safety and house in 4,756 relief centres where they are provided with food and other materials. He said as many as 2,131 villages spread over 11 different districts would be affected in the cyclone.