Cyclone 'Dana,' forming over the east-central Bay of Bengal, is expected to bring heavy rainfall across several south Bengal districts, including Kolkata, as the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) warned.

Train Services Disrupted
In anticipation of the cyclone, Eastern and South Eastern railways have cancelled over 150 trains scheduled for October 24 and 25. More cancellations may follow if the situation worsens.

Landfall Expected in Odisha
The storm is predicted to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over the northwest Bay of Bengal, with landfall expected between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port in Odisha on Friday. Wind speeds could reach up to 120 km/h. As of Wednesday morning, the cyclone was located 520 km southeast of Paradip and 600 km from Sagar Island, according to the IMD.

Rainfall Alert in Bengal
The IMD has issued a heavy rainfall alert for districts including North and South 24 Parganas, Purba and Paschim Medinipur, Jhargram, Kolkata, Howrah, and Hooghly on October 24 and 25. Extremely heavy rainfall is expected in isolated areas.

Fishermen Advised to Stay Ashore
Fishermen have been advised to avoid venturing into the sea from October 23 to 25 due to increasing wind speeds, which are expected to peak at 120 km/h between October 24 and 25.

More Train Cancellations Likely
Over 150 express and passenger trains have been cancelled, particularly those running through the South Eastern Railway zone, which covers parts of West Bengal, Odisha, and Jharkhand. Local trains from Sealdah station will be suspended from 8 pm on October 24 until 10 am on October 25 as a precautionary measure. The last trains from coastal areas like Hasnabad and Namkhana will leave by 7 pm on October 24.

Coast Guard and NDRF Prepared for Emergencies
The Indian Coast Guard is on high alert, with vessels and aircraft positioned to respond to any emergencies. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed 13 teams across south Bengal for emergency response.

Power Department on Standby
West Bengal's Power Minister, Aroop Biswas, held a meeting with district officials to ensure preparedness for any power disruptions. The department has announced 24/7 assistance and helpline numbers to address any power-related emergencies.

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