The severe cyclonic storm Dana struck the coastal districts of Odisha shortly after midnight on Thursday, bringing winds over 110 km/h and heavy rains. The storm has left a trail of destruction across parts of Odisha and West Bengal.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the cyclone made landfall near Dhamara and Habalikhati and is expected to move westward, weakening by Friday afternoon. Though the storm won’t reach West Bengal, heavy rainfall is still forecasted across the state.

The storm triggered widespread damage in districts such as Bhadrak, Dhamra, and Vansaba, where trees were uprooted, and buildings were damaged. Roads were blocked, and transport services, including trains and flights, were severely impacted, with over 400 trains canceled, and flights from Kolkata and Bhubaneswar grounded for several hours.

In response, educational institutions in Odisha, West Bengal, and parts of Jharkhand were closed on Friday. Meanwhile, Kolkata Port temporarily halted ship movements as a safety measure.

Odisha's Chief Minister, Mohan Charan Majhi, has been monitoring the situation, working with state officials to coordinate relief efforts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have both pledged full support to the Odisha government. In West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has also been overseeing preparations from the State Control Room.

Evacuations have been widespread, with over 5.84 lakh people relocated in Odisha and 3.5 lakh more in West Bengal. The Odisha government also reported that 1,600 of the more than 4,400 pregnant women evacuated to shelters have safely delivered their babies, with all mothers and newborns receiving ongoing care.

The cyclone is expected to weaken as it travels further inland, though heavy rain will continue in parts of Odisha, West Bengal, and Jharkhand. Fishermen have been advised to stay off the Bay of Bengal until the storm subsides. An orange alert has been issued for Jharkhand’s Kolhan region, with schools closed and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams on standby to handle emergencies.