Bhubaneswar: As Cyclone Dana tore through the coastal districts of Odisha, unleashing nature's fury, a quieter, yet profound story of resilience and hope emerged from the storm. In the midst of chaos, destruction, and displacement, over 1,600 women delivered their newborns under the careful supervision of doctors and healthcare workers.
For the families caught in the cyclone's path, these newborns were symbols of hope and joy, arriving amidst one of the state's most devastating natural disasters.
The state's preparedness for Cyclone Dana ensured these mothers were safe during the storm's onslaught. Odisha’s Chief Minister, Mohan Charan Majhi, confirmed that 4,421 pregnant women from cyclone-hit areas were swiftly transferred to hospitals, where medical teams worked tirelessly to ensure safe deliveries. Despite the storm's destruction, the government’s deployment of trained healthcare workers, medical supplies, and the timely evacuation of those most vulnerable ensured a miracle: every single one of the 1,600 births was successful.
For these new mothers, the experience was a testament to both personal strength and the state's commitment to disaster management. Most of the women were among the 5.84 lakh people evacuated from their coastal villages to safety in one of the 8,322 cyclone shelters opened by the government. Though the shelters were makeshift homes for many, they became places where life continued, against all odds.
Healthcare workers, many of whom had left their own families behind, stayed on the frontlines. They worked through sleepless nights, as did the Chief Minister himself, who personally monitored the relief operations. From the Special Relief Commissioner's office to the Red Cross Bhawan, the CM was seen hopping between key sites, ensuring that the disaster response teams—including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), and Fire Services—were providing the best possible care.
The cyclone's reach was vast, displacing thousands and even forcing the evacuation of 19,476 livestock. Yet amidst the wreckage, these newborns offered the people of Odisha a glimmer of hope—a reminder of life’s incredible ability to persist, even in the darkest of times.
As the CM Majhi himself put it, the cries of 1,600 newborns breaking through the howling winds of Cyclone Dana will long be remembered as a symbol of survival, resilience, and renewal.
“For the families who withstood the storm, the arrival of their children brought not only happiness but also a renewed sense of purpose. They had been through one of the toughest experiences of their lives, yet out of the storm came new life—a testament to their strength and to the tireless efforts of those who protected them,” said the CM on Friday.
