NEW DELHI — Late Thursday night, Tropical Storm Dana struck the eastern coast of India, bringing with it heavy winds and torrential rainfall that resulted in uprooted trees.
The storm entered the state of Odisha with sustained winds of about 110 kilometers per hour (68 miles per hour) and wind gusts expected to reach up to 120 kilometers per hour (75 miles per hour), as reported by the Indian Meteorological Department. According to officials, the storm’s landfall is anticipated to extend into Friday as it progresses further into northern Odisha, before subsequently weakening in intensity throughout the day.
Upon making landfall, Dana unleashed intense rain across various districts in Odisha and the adjacent state of West Bengal, while gusty winds caused trees to fall, as indicated by local media sources. By early Friday, there were no immediate reports of fatalities or significant damage.
Climate experts have noted an increase in the frequency of severe storms in South Asia, attributing this trend to global warming which, driven by greenhouse gases, has made such storms more severe and erratic.
In preparation for the impending storm, Indian officials had taken measures earlier in the week. In Odisha, nearly 600,000 individuals were relocated from areas deemed high-risk, and numerous teams focused on rescue and emergency aid were dispatched. Schools were closed, over 200 train operations were canceled, and flights to and from the capital cities of Odisha and West Bengal faced suspension.
Authorities remained vigilant regarding potential damage in three districts of Odisha, where meteorologists warned of a sea surge reaching approximately one meter during the storm’s landfall, raising concerns for flooding in lower regions.
While India’s eastern coast has historically been susceptible to cyclones, the rise in the number of intense storms along its shores has become evident. The year 2023 marked the deadliest cyclone season for India in recent times, resulting in the loss of 523 lives and incurring damages estimated at $2.5 billion.