Hazard removal: Disaster response personnel sawing fallen trees in Paradeep, in Jagatsinghpur district of Odisha. — AP
Tropical Storm Dana brought strong winds and heavy rain to India’s eastern coast, uprooting trees and bringing a flood risk after nearly 600,000 people evacuated.
The storm made landfall late Thursday night in Odisha state with maximum sustained winds of around 110kph and gusts up to 120kph, according to the Indian Meteorological Department.
Officials told the Press Trust of India news agency the storm would push further into northern Odisha and gradually weaken.
The storm pounded some districts in Odisha and neighbouring West Bengal state with heavy downpours as gusty winds brought down trees, local media reported. As of early yesterday, there were no deaths nor any major damage reported.
Nearly 600,000 people were evacuated from high-risk zones in Odisha earlier in the week, and teams of rescue and aid workers were deployed in preparation for the storm.
Schools were closed, more than 200 trains were cancelled and flights to and from the capital cities of Odisha and West Bengal were suspended.
Authorities were on high alert for damage in three districts in Odisha, where the weather department forecast a sea surge of around one metre, which could further flood low-lying areas. — AP
