Odisha Govt Cancels Leave of Disaster Management Officials Amid Cyclone Dana Relief Efforts

Bhubaneswar: In response to the devastation caused by Cyclone Dana, Odisha’s Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), Deoranjan Kumar Singh, has cancelled the leave of officials involved in disaster management and response activities across all relevant departments. The government has directed these departments to remain operational on October 26 and 27, ensuring that essential relief and recovery efforts remain uninterrupted.

In an official communication to department heads on Friday, Singh underscored the urgency of post-cyclone relief activities, directing that response efforts be prioritized. “Due to the impact of Severe Cyclonic Storm Dana, disaster management and other response activities must be undertaken on top priority,” Singh stated, urging immediate administrative action.

Cyclone Dana made landfall shortly after midnight between Bhitarkanika in Kendrapada and Dhamra in Bhadrak, battering the region with intense winds reaching 100-120 km/h. The landfall process, which began at Habalikhati Nature Camp and continued northward through Dhamra, lasted about eight and a half hours, concluding around 8:30 a.m. as the cyclone moved 30 km northeast of Bhadrak and 50 km north-northwest of Dhamra.

As officials coordinate efforts to restore essential services and support affected residents, the government’s directive underscores the focus on a swift, coordinated response to minimize the storm’s impact on affected communities.