Severe Cyclonic Storm Dana Intensifies, Poised To Hit Odisha Coast

A cyclonic storm, named Dana, has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm over the east-central Bay of Bengal and is expected to make landfall along the Odisha coast between Bhitarkanika in Kendrapara district and Dhamra in Bhadrak district on the night of October 24 and the morning of October 25.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the storm has been moving north-northwest at a speed of 15 km/h and is currently centered over the northwest and adjoining central Bay of Bengal, approximately 260 km southeast of Paradip, 290 km south-southeast of Dhamra, and 350 km south of Sagar Island.

The IMD forecasts that Dana will continue its northwestward trajectory and cross the north Odisha and West Bengal coasts between Puri and Sagar Island, likely near Bhitarkanika and Dhamra. Wind speeds during the storm are expected to range from 100 to 110 km/h, with gusts reaching up to 120 km/h.

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Coastal districts, including Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, and Balasore, have already begun experiencing rainfall due to the approaching storm, with increasing wind speeds reported.

Director of IMD Bhubaneswar, Manorama Mohanty, reported that Paradip recorded the highest rainfall of 51 mm, while the Chandbali area saw 39 mm in the last 24 hours. She indicated that the cyclone is set to make landfall by midnight on Thursday, with the process continuing into Friday morning.

In preparation for the storm, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced that approximately 300,000 people have been evacuated from vulnerable areas in affected districts as of Wednesday evening. The state government aims to evacuate around one million people to safer locations, including cyclone shelters and relief centers.