Cyclone Dana: Home Minister Amit Shah's Kolkata Visit Postponed Following Weather Alerts & Warnings

Union Home Minister Amit Shah's planned visit to Kolkata on October 24 has been delayed due to Cyclone Dana. Shah was set to open a Rs 450 crore passenger terminal at Petrapole, near the Indo-Bangladesh border. The cyclone is expected to strike between Puri and Sagar Island on the night of October 24-25, with winds reaching up to 110 km/h.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts that Cyclone Dana will form over the Bay of Bengal by October 23. This development follows a cyclonic circulation over the Andaman Sea that intensified into a low-pressure area. Heavy rainfall is anticipated in Odisha's coastal regions until October 25.

Weather Alerts and Rainfall Predictions

The Met office has issued warnings for severe weather conditions linked to this system. On October 23, heavy rain is forecasted for East Midnapore, West Midnapore, South 24 Parganas, and North 24 Parganas districts. On October 24 and 25, these areas may experience very heavy rain with extremely heavy downpours in some places.

Additionally, Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, North 24 Parganas, Purulia, and Bankura districts are likely to see heavy to very heavy rainfall on October 24 and 25. The Land Port Authority of India had already announced a four-day halt in import-export activities starting October 22 due to Shah's visit.

NDRF Preparedness and Government Response

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has positioned 14 teams in West Bengal and 11 teams in Odisha for potential deployment as the cyclone approaches. A government statement confirmed this readiness on Monday as part of preparations for the storm expected between Puri and Sagar Island.

During a National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) meeting on Monday, Cabinet Secretary T V Somanathan was briefed about additional rescue teams from the Army, Navy, and Coast Guard being on standby. Ships and aircraft are also prepared for any necessary relief operations.

This proactive approach aims to ensure swift response capabilities in case of emergencies caused by Cyclone Dana. Authorities remain vigilant as they monitor developments closely.