As Cyclone Dana tore through the coastal districts of Odisha, unleashing nature's fury, a quieter, yet profound story of resilience and hope emerged from the storm. In the midst of chaos, destruction, and displacement, over 1,600 women delivered their newborns under the careful supervision of doctors and healthcare workers. For the families caught in the cyclone's path, these newborns were symbols of hope and joy, arriving amidst one of the state's most devastating natural disasters.
The state's preparedness for Cyclone Dana ensured these mothers were safe during the storm's onslaught. Odisha’s Chief Minister, Mohan Charan Majhi, confirmed that 4,421 pregnant women from cyclone-hit areas were swiftly transferred to hospitals, where medical teams worked tirelessly to ensure safe deliveries. Despite the storm's destruction, the government’s deployment of trained healthcare workers, medical supplies, and the timely evacuation of those most vulnerable ensured a miracle: every single one of the 1,600 births was successful.
For these new mothers, the experience was a testament to both personal strength and the state's commitment to disaster management. Most of the women were among the 5.84 lakh people evacuated from their coastal villages to safety in one of the 8,322 cyclone shelters opened by the government.
Though the shelters were makeshift homes for many, they became places where life continued, against all odds. Healthcare workers, many of whom had left their own families.