Odisha's Bhadrak district is bracing for the impact of Cyclone Dana as it approaches the coast, with landfall expected on October 25. In preparation, the district administration has begun large-scale evacuations to cyclone shelters to ensure the safety of residents in vulnerable areas.

Bhadrak Collector Dilip Routrai, speaking to ANI, said, "We are evacuating the people from vulnerable areas. Some people are coming on their own, while some are being brought by police as they don't want to leave their homes." He added that three teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are actively involved in the evacuation efforts. "One team is stationed at the headquarters, while two others are deployed in the field. Additionally, two Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams and four Fire Department teams are on the ground."

The cyclone has also prompted a temporary ban on fishing activities in the region. Bhadrak Assistant Fisheries Officer, Sandeep Kumar Behera, confirmed that "In Bhadrak's jurisdiction, there are 911 registered boats and 10 fish landing centers, all of which have been docked. Fishing has been prohibited till October 26." This move is part of the broader safety measures being implemented by local authorities to minimize risks.

Odisha's Fire Services Director General, Sudhanshu Sarangi, stated that the state is fully prepared for Cyclone Dana. Speaking to ANI on Wednesday, he said, "We have 182 teams of Fire and Rescue Services, comprising nearly 2000 personnel. We will cover all 14 districts expected to be impacted. Additionally, we have 20 NDRF teams and 400 personnel from the State Disaster Force mobilized, alongside support from the Forest Department."

The impact of Cyclone Dana has also led to a suspension of flight operations at Bhubaneswar Airport. Director Prasanna Pradhan announced that "Flight operations will be suspended for 17 hours, from October 24 to October 25, due to strong winds and heavy rainfall. Around 45 flights will be canceled, affected, or delayed." The decision was made in response to the latest forecasts from the Meteorological Department.

Odisha Minister Suryavanshi Suraj further reassured the public, stating that the government is closely monitoring the situation. "We have made arrangements for electricity, food, and medical aid in all cyclone-affected areas. Around 3000-4000 people have already been evacuated to safer locations, and the ODRAF teams are on the ground to manage any challenges," he told ANI. Minister Suraj also highlighted that port operations will be halted for two days to ensure the safety of workers, especially in areas like Dhamra, which are expected to bear the brunt of the cyclone.

With the combined efforts of the administration and disaster management teams, Odisha is leaving no stone unturned to minimize the damage and ensure the safety of its citizens as Cyclone Dana looms closer.