Bhubaneswar Airport Suspends Operations Amid Cyclone Dana Warning

Bhubaneswar: Authorities at Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) have announced a temporary suspension of flight operations due to the impending threat of Cyclone Dana. The suspension will take place from 5 PM on October 24 until 9 AM on October 25, affecting approximately 40 flights during this period.

Prasanna Pradhan, the Director of BPIA, confirmed the operational halt, urging passengers to stay informed about their flight status before heading to the airport. “Further decisions regarding flight operations will be made after assessing the situation,” he added.

Cyclone Update

As of 5:30 PM IST today, the cyclonic storm was located about 420 km southeast of Paradip (Odisha), 450 km south-southeast of Dhamara (Odisha), and 500 km south-southeast of Sagar Island (West Bengal). The storm is expected to move northwestward, intensifying into a severe cyclonic storm by early morning on October 24. The IMD forecasts that Cyclone Dana will cross the coasts of north Odisha and West Bengal, particularly between Puri and Sagar Island, with wind speeds reaching 100-110 kmph, gusting up to 120 kmph, during the midnight hours of October 24 to the morning of October 25.

Authorities are urging residents and travelers to take necessary precautions as the storm approaches. Passengers are advised to monitor updates from airlines and local news outlets regarding flight statuses and safety measures in place as Cyclone Dana impacts the region.