As Odisha braces for Cyclone Dana, videos of deadly winds and strong sea currents go viral

Nearly four lakh people have been evacuated to relief centers in Odisha, ahead of Cyclone Dana.

Cyclone Dana is likely to make its landfall in Odisha on October 25 (Image source: @ANI/X)

Cyclone Dana is expected to make its landfall on the Odisha coast by October 25. The storm will likely intensify into a severe cyclonic storm and hit between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dharma Port in Odisha tonight. As evacuation operations are underway, several dramatic videos of gusty winds ahead of Cyclone Dana emerged on social media.

A video by news agency ANI shows grey clouds hovering over strong sea currents at the Digha beach. “West Bengal: #CycloneDana is expected to make landfall over the Odisha-West Bengal coast, between October 24-25,” ANI wrote.

Watch here:

#WATCH | West Bengal: #CycloneDana is expected to make landfall over the Odisha-West Bengal coast, between October 24-25

(Visuals from Digha beach) pic.twitter.com/BM6ic3rONp

— ANI (@ANI) October 24, 2024

Another video shared by the official handle of the Indian Coast Guard shows rescue officials from choppers and ships making safety announcements for fishermen and small boats. “@IndiaCoastGuard Region (North East) has initiated preventive measures ahead of Cyclone ‘DANA’, expected to make landfall off #WestBengal and #Odisha between 24-25 Oct 24. Our ships, helicopters, and Dornier aircraft are fully prepared for assistance, rescue and relief operations,” the caption read.

@IndiaCoastGuard Region (North East) has initiated preventive measures ahead of Cyclone ‘DANA’, expected to make landfall off #WestBengal and #Odisha between 24-25 Oct 24. Our ships, helicopters, and Dornier aircraft are fully prepared for assistance, rescue and relief… pic.twitter.com/1oG45NLzRl

— Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) October 23, 2024

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Due to gusty winds, several trees fell in the Tunga area, blocking the roads. Shared by an X user Sudhansu Sekhar Behe, the photos show the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) clearing the blocked road. “Despite Cyclone Dana causing fallen trees and blocking roads in Tunga, the local community acted swiftly to clear the way, even before official response teams like ODRAF arrived. Kudos to the resilience and teamwork of these everyday heroes!” the post read.

Despite Cyclone Dana causing fallen trees and blocking roads in Tunga, the local community acted swiftly to clear the way, even before official response teams like ODRAF arrived. Kudos to the resilience and teamwork of these everyday heroes! #CycloneDana @dmkendrapara @CMO_Odisha pic.twitter.com/jzr3u2NqzN

— Sudhansu Sekhar Behe (@chikuni123) October 24, 2024

Popular sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik shared a video showing numerous crabs crawling by Puri Beach amid the strong sea currents. “Today morning many small crabs at Puri Beach,” he wrote on X.

Today morning many small crabs at Puri Beach .
#CycloneDana pic.twitter.com/uMvtbApCwS

— Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) October 23, 2024

According to reports, nearly four lakh people have been evacuated to relief centers in Odisha, while over 1.14 lakh people have been moved to safer shelters in West Bengal. Schools and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) centres in nine districts will be shut till Saturday in West Bengal.