NEW DELHI (Reuters) – A severe cyclonic storm, named Dana, battered India’s east coast on Friday morning, disrupting some civic services and damaging crops and trees.
Here are some details about its landfall and impact.
LANDFALL
The cyclone made landfall a little after midnight (1930 GMT Thursday), crossing the coasts of the eastern states of Odisha and West Bengal between Puri and Sagar Island with wind speeds of 100-110 kph (62-68 mph), gusting up to 120 kph (75 mph).
The landfall process finished almost 10 hours later.
CURRENT POSITION
The cyclone has weakened into a cyclonic storm and is passing over north coastal Odisha with a maximum sustained wind speed at its centre of 80-90 kph (50-56 mph), gusting to 100 kmph.
It is expected to weaken into a deep depression in the afternoon.
IMPACT ON HUMAN LIFE
There were no deaths or injuries reported because of the cyclone.
The states had evacuated more than 700,000 people from the coastal regions and moved them to shelters over the last few days, as the cyclone approached.
TRAVEL
The airports in the capital cities of both Odisha and West Bengal had suspended operations from Thursday evening but flight services resumed on Friday morning. Some of the more than 200 trains that had been cancelled also began operations.
CIVIC SERVICES
The cyclone hit power lines in Odisha, leaving some areas without electricity, but power is expected to be restored by Friday afternoon.
Trees in some areas were also uprooted and were being cleared.
PORTS
There was no damage to the ports – including the country’s largest port of Paradip, which is located in Odisha – or any other industry in the region.
AGRICULTURE
The heavy rain caused by the cyclone in West Bengal accompanied by a surge in the sea water left some areas inundated and damaged standing paddy crop almost ready for harvest in some fields.
It also spoiled winter vegetables in large agricultural tracts.
(Compiled by Sakshi Dayal; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
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