People in Odisha’s coastal districts, which were in the line of rampaging cyclone Dana, heaved a sigh of relief as the severe cyclonic storm has largely spared the coastal pockets as it is likely to weaken into deep depression in the next six hours after making landfall in midnight hours. According to a statement from the office of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi on Friday, “We have achieved our target of zero casualties due to proper planning and execution”. While there is no report of loss of life and property, tidal surge making inroads into some of the villages and agriculture fields have come to light as the fierce wind has subsided.
The Bhitarkanika national park, which was home to the landfall spot, has largely been saved from the devastating aftermath of the cyclone though details from the park are yet to emerge, said an official. Advertisement Reports from Bhadrak and Balasore districts received here indicated that there was no loss of life and any extensive damage to property. The settlement colony at Bagapatia, housing the people displaced from their native land in Satabhaya due to sea erosion, has come under watery inundation as tidal surge entered into the colony, he added.
”The severe cyclone storm made landfall in midnight hours near Habelikhati nature camp in Bhitarkanika national park as it had been forecast in advance by the IMD. With adequate precautionary measures and timely evacuation, we have successfully withstood nature’s fury with zero hum.