Cyclone Dana likely to make landfall in Odisha early on Oct 25: IMD

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Wednesday (October 23) that Cyclone Dana is likely to make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port in Odisha early Friday (October 25).

Umashankar Das, senior scientist at the regional meteorological centre in Bhubaneshwar said, "Based on the trajectory of the system, it is anticipated that Cyclone Dana will make landfall between Bhitarnika National Park in Kendrapara district and Dhamra port in Bhadrak district. During the landfall, a tidal surge of up to 2 metres is expected, with the cyclone reaching the coast at a wind velocity of 120 km/hour."

Das warned that low-lying areas in Kendrapara, Bhadrak, and Balasore districts are likely to be inundated and recommended that the government evacuate residents from these regions.

Deep depression intensifies into cyclonic storm

The deep depression over the Bay of Bengal intensified into a cyclonic storm named 'Dana' on Wednesday (October 23) morning, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

It is expected to become a severe cyclone before crossing the eastern coast between Puri in Odisha and Sagar Island in West Bengal, with wind speeds reaching 120 km per hour on October 25, according to the IMD.

In a bulletin, the national weather agency said, "Yesterday’s deep depression over east-central Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestward at a speed of 18 km per hour over the past six hours and intensified into cyclonic storm ‘Dana’."

Also Read: Cyclone Dana | Schools shut, trains cancelled in Odisha, Bengal; Coast Guard on high alert

As of 5.30 am, the system was located approximately 560 km southeast of Paradip (Odisha) and 630 km south-southeast of Sagar Island (West Bengal).

The IMD further noted, "It is very likely to move northwestward and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over the northwest Bay of Bengal by early morning on October 24. It is expected to cross north Odisha and West Bengal coasts between Puri and Sagar Island during the night of October 24 to the morning of October 25, 2024, as a severe cyclonic storm with wind speeds of up to 120 km per hour."

Odisha, West Bengal get ready for cyclone

The Odisha and West Bengal are taking urgent measures to ensure public safety. Officials in Odisha plan to evacuate more than 1 million people across 14 districts to relief camps ahead of the storm.

The Indian Coast Guard has been put on high alert, and they are keeping ships and planes ready to be deployed for any eventuality.

Also Read: East coast braces for cyclone as low pressure strengthens into depression

Teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been activated and sent to various areas that may be vulnerable during the cyclone. The states have established integrated control rooms at state and district levels that will function 24 hours for real-time coordination between agencies.

Almost 200 trains cancelled, schools shut

Nearly 200 trains have been cancelled in both the states, and schools will remain closed in 21 districts spread across Odisha and West Bengal.

Also Read: Odisha on high alert as low-pressure area likely to turn into cyclonic storm

Mrutunjay Mohapatra, Director General of the IMD, warned that the entire eastern coast extending from Puri in Odisha to Sagar Island in West Bengal could be affected by the cyclone. He urged residents in these areas to heed evacuation orders and to relocate to safer places.

(With inputs from agencies)