What started as a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a cyclone called ‘Dana’. The cyclone is likely to hit the coast of Odisha and West Bengal between October 24-25, with a wind speed of 100 to 110 km/h, as per the India Meteorological Department. More specifically, the coasts between Puri and Sagar Island, Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port of Odisha will be affected. The Dana cyclone started to intensify recently by October 23, 2024.
Both states are preparing to evacuate more than 10 lakh people from the coastal districts. A lakh individuals have already been moved out of West Bengal to shelter homes while in the state of Orissa, around three lakh people identified living in the danger zone have been evacuated on Wednesday evening.
Other precautionary steps include the cancellation of eastern and south-eastern Railways, Ferry services in the Sundarban area and Flight operations at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata. The West Bengal government has also announced the shutting of schools and academic institutes in seven districts close to the Bay of Bengal. Orissa, as well, has decided to close all educational institutions. The government of both states have also issued precautionary advisories to fishermen, asking them to avoid venturing into the sea till the storm cools down. Residents in low-lying areas are being evacuated to relief camps safely.
The National Disaster Response Force or NDRF has deployed 56 teams across five states to combat Cyclone Dana. In support of that, the Indian Coast Guard is also on high alert. As a precautionary effort, vessels and aircraft are being positioned strategically to respond swiftly to any emergency at sea. the ICG has been monitoring the cyclone closely to take proactive steps.
Naming a Cyclone
A cyclone is a storm formed from a low-pressure area in the sea, here in the Bay of Bengal. This low-pressure whirlpool calms down only in the absence of water, and so stops after hitting the coast. Along with it, it brings heavy rainfall.
The World Meteorological Organisation uses a rotating list of names that are contributed by its member countries in the North Indian Ocean region. As per the list, the turn to name the cyclone was fulfilled by Qatar’s ‘Dana’.
The cyclone is named by Qatar, which literally translates to generosity in Arabic. But the word ‘Dana’ also symbolises ‘the most perfectly sized and exquisite pearl’. This Arabic word stands for the cultural significance of some coastal regions of the Arab state known for pearl diving, like the Persian Gulf.
Other than making the process easy and global, the naming practice also helps to streamline communications of public safety across different states. It also creates a sense of solidarity and brings harmony in the international waters.
CSR in Disaster Management
Amazon India, in May 2024, announced the pre-positioning of its disaster relief material to respond to communities struck in natural disasters in less than 72 hours. This e-commerce giant will make use of its already existing logistics network to move relief items, which include shelter and hygiene kits, quickly and effectively across the entire country. This is part of the company’s corporate social responsibility effort.
Amazon India was smart in investing its corporate social responsibility funds by using its already existing logistics chain to transport important materials in times of disaster. This comes as the vast Indian subcontinent has experienced major earthquakes, landslides, cyclones, and floods in the past without any informed relief effort.
Specifically in case of cyclones, India enjoys a huge coastline of more than 7000 km bordering both the mainland as well as the islands. This makes more and more residents living in lowly areas prone to cyclone storms, like in the case of cyclone Dana.
It is precisely the time when companies divert their corporate social responsibility funds towards helping the government come up with more sophisticated relief programs. It is a win-win situation because till now, there has not been any major impact of the cyclone and lives are safe. The government has been strategic in planning for the future, and this can be further strengthened if companies start to divert their corporate social responsibility fund towards coastal areas of West Bengal and Orissa. CSR money to save lives in the face of natural disasters can create impact.
