Cyclone Dana: Jagatsinghpur residents spend sleepless nights as they recall 1999 Super Cyclone horror

Cyclones and Odisha are somewhat synonymous as the State often gets hit by cyclonic storms. The State is now bracing to face another possible cyclone ‘Dana’. The season’s first tropical cyclone is likely to shape by October 23 and hit Odisha-West Bengal coasts by October 24.

The Super Cyclone of 1999 is still fresh in the memory of the residents of Padmapur village under Ersama block in Jagatsinghpur district as the area was badly hit. While there was severe damage in the area located only 400 metres away from the sea, hundreds of people were washed away in the high tidal wave of the turbulent sea. With the possibility of another impending cyclone, the people in the area are in a state of panic and spending sleepless nights.

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“We suffered a lot in the 1999 Super Cyclone. We had no hope to remain alive as our houses and some of the near and dear ones were washed away in the high tide of the turbulent sea. Many people who somehow managed to survive by climbing trees while getting washed away eventually collapsed in the heavy rain and wind,” said a local resident.

“With another possible cyclone likely to hit Odisha coast, we all are scared. We are trembling by recalling our ordeal during previous cyclones. We are clueless on how to tackle the upcoming cyclone,” he added.

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“We are spending sleepless nights by imagining our plight in the possible cyclone. We may be washed away by the high tidal wave at any moment. However, we have no alternative,” said another resident in the area.

Another local resident said that they are somehow prepared and ready to move to the nearby Red Cross cyclone shelter before the arrival of the cyclone.

“We have kept some dry foods like flattened rice and puffed rice ready. We will move to the cyclone shelter soon with dry foods and some clothes to save our lives,” he said.

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