Cyclone Dana which formed in the Bay of Bengal is intensifying and moving north-northwestwards and is likely to cross Bengal and Odisha in the early hours of Friday.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said more than 30 per cent of the targeted 10 lakh people have been evacuated to safe places by Wednesday evening in view of cyclone Dana that barrels toward the state's coastal region,

The Indian Coast Guard is on high alert as Cyclone Dana approaches the coasts of West Bengal and Odisha. Measures have been taken to ensure preparedness for any emergencies, with strategic positioning of vessels and aircraft to safeguard lives and property.

NDRF teams in Odisha and 14 teams in West Bengal are on standby and educational institutions have been shut, as Cyclone Dana will likely make landfall in Odisha's Puri and Bengal's Sagar Island on Thursday evening.

Both West Bengal and Kolkata municipal authorities have activated control rooms. Odisha has also established emergency command centers to monitor and manage cyclone-related incidents.

Schools to remain closed from October 23 to 26 in several districts of West Bengal. Follow the Hindu’s latest updates on Cyclone Dana on October 23, 2024.

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