Cyclone in Odisha: Two months after Cyclone Asna hit India around August-September, the country is set to brace for another storm – Cyclone Dana. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that the ‘severe’ cyclonic storm ‘Dana’brewing over the Bay of Bengal will likely hit Odisha and West Bengal coasts by October 24 morning.
According to the Indian Meterological Department (IMD), a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal is likely to turn into a severe cyclonic storm by October 23. It is expected to reach the coasts adjoining Odisha and West Bengal by Thursday, and it is likely that the Cyclone will bring heavy rains until Friday. The cyclone has been named 'Dana'.
Speaking to ANI, Bijay Kumar Mohapatra said, "We are prepared. Every year, we anticipate cyclones and face them. We have a definite protocol for management preparation."
The weather observatory also warned of possible landslides, disruptions in power and communication, and waterlogging along the West Bengal and Odisha coasts due to the heavy rainfall that Cyclone Dana will bring.
Schools in some parts of Odisha were ordered to shut and tourists asked to vacate Puri, as authorities braced for a severe cyclonic storm. Schools in 14 districts will be closed from Wednesday to Friday, and fishermen have been asked not to venture into the sea, a senior official from the Special Relief Commissioner's office, which oversees disaster management, told Reuters.
Officials said tourists and pilgrims who frequent the coastal city of Puri, home to the famous Jagannath temple, have been asked to leave, and rescue teams are on standby.
Odisha, coastal districts of West Bengal, and isolated places of the Andaman islands are likely to face the brunt of the cyclone, the IMD said in its latest release.
The IMD has also forecast rainfall for the districts of North coastal Andhra Pradesh as a result of Cyclone Dana.
The Met Dept has also announced heavy to very heavy rainfall for the following areas till October 25:
Heavy to very heavy rainfall (7-20 cm) at isolated places is very likely over Andaman Islands, today, October 21.
Light to moderate rainfall is likely in most places, with heavy rainfall very likely over Odisha on October 23. Meanwhile, heavy to very heavy rainfall in a few places and extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places is likely for October 24 and 25.
Light to moderate rainfall is expected at most places, with heavy rainfall expected at isolated places over coastal districts of West Bengal on October 23. Very heavy to heavy rainfall is likely over a few places in Gangetic West Bengal on October 24 and 25, stated the IMD in its latest release.
Light to moderate rainfall at many places, with heavy rainfall at isolated places, is very likely over North coastal Andhra Pradesh on October 24-25
IMD Director-General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra stated, “Some places in the coastal region may experience 20 cm rainfall on October 24-25. The intensity of the spell may also increase to 20 to 30 cm, and above 30 at some places,” in a post on X. Fishermen are advised to return to shore by October 21 due to the storm's potential impacts.
