Flights suspended at India's Kolkata, Odisha state as cyclone Dana approaches

24/10/2024 13:10

        Flights to and from the capital cities of India's eastern states of Odisha and West Bengal, including Kolkata, will be suspended from Thursday evening to Friday morning as the region braces for a cyclone set to hit during that time, officials said.
        
        Cyclone 'Dana', currently over the Bay of Bengal, is expected to cross the coasts of the states between midnight and Friday morning with wind speeds of 100-110 kmph (62-68 mph), gusting up to 120 kph (75 mph), the weather department said.
        
        Both states have closed schools in the areas that are expected to be bear the brunt of the storm and asked fishermen not to venture out to sea.
        
        Television footage showed fishermen rushing to secure their straw homes and boats with ropes, and officials escorting residents in coastal areas to shelters as heavy winds and rains pounded parts of Odisha on Thursday.
        
        The Adani group's Dhamra port in the state's Bhadrak region has also suspended operations.