Fire services, police teams clear roads blocked by uprooted trees during cyclone Dana in eastern India
October 25, 2024
Amid Cyclone Dana’s fierce winds in eastern India’s Odisha, Fire Services and police personnel worked tirelessly to remove uprooted trees that were blocking critical roads, restoring access for rescue and relief operations across affected areas.
The incident took place at Nuagarh, Astaranga Police Station, Puri District on October 25.
Visuals showed fire Services and police personnel are working diligently to clear uprooted trees blocking the roads during Cyclone Dana. Dressed in protective gear, they use chainsaws and equipment to remove debris, ensuring safe passage for rescue teams. The scene is filled with fallen branches and scattered leaves, highlighting the storm’s devastation.
According to reports, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) warned that the cyclone’s effects would persist through Friday morning, particularly in the districts of Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak, and Balasore. Severe damage to coastal communities is reported, including destroyed thatched homes, roofless houses, and thousands of uprooted trees. Tidal surges as high as two meters were observed near the landfall area, compounding the destruction.
Odisha’s National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), and Fire Services teams began rescue and restoration operations, braving perilous conditions to clear roadways and restore access to affected areas. Tragically, an 80-year-old woman reportedly lost her life at a cyclone shelter in Kendrapara, while reports indicate significant crop and property loss, especially in Bhadrak’s Dhamra region, where tides surged inland, flooding homes and farmland.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who monitored the cyclone’s impact through the night alongside cabinet members, coordinated rescue efforts. He received support from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who offered resources for relief operations. The chief minister shared that over 1,600 women delivered newborns in the past 12 hours, despite difficult conditions in coastal districts.
As the storm continues, the government has urged residents to remain indoors and avoid coastal zones. Restoration efforts are ongoing, and authorities are working to assess the full scope of the damage as Cyclone Dana gradually weakens.
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