The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has informed that at 8:30 am today, the severe cyclonic storm “DANA” laid centred over northwest Bay of Bengal about 210 km southeast of Paradip (Odisha), 240 km south-southeast of Dhamara (Odisha) and 310 km south of Sagar Island (West Bengal).
In a Red Message, the IMD stated that cyclone is very likely to move north-northwestwards and cross north Odisha and West Bengal coasts between Puri and Sagar Island close to Bhitarkanika and Dhamara (Odisha) during mid-night of 24th to morning of 25th October, 2024 as a severe Cyclonic Storm with a wind speed of 100-110 kmph gusting 120 kmph.
The IMD has also issued warnings for extremely heavy rainfall over Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal. “Very Heavy rainfall likely to occur over Kerala. Heavy rainfall likely to occur over Assam & Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & Tripura, Bihar, Jharkhand, South Interior Karnataka and Tamil Nadu,” it stated.
The Kolkata Airport has announced that it will be suspending flight operations for 15 hours from 6:00 pm on 24th October 2024 to 9:00 am on 25th October.
It stated: “In view of Cyclone DANA’s impact on the coastal region of West Bengal, including Kolkata, it has been decided to suspend the flight operations from 1800 IST on 24.10.2024 to 0900 IST on 25.10.2024 due to predicted heavy winds and heavy to very heavy rainfall at Kolkata.”
The Indian Railways has also cancelled hundreds of trains due to the storm.
As the storm approaches, rain and wind have been reported in the coastal areas while the states’ governments continue the massive evacuation operations in places expected to be affected.
Earlier, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has assured that his government is fully prepared to deal with the storm and urged the citizens not to panic but to be careful. During his visit to the office of the Special Relief Commissioner to review the preparations for dealing with the storm, the CM informed that 90% of the people in danger zones would be transferred to cyclone shelters by 11:00 am today. Majhi also said that dry food and cooked food and all necessary arrangements have been made for the people in the cyclone shelters.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has also said that the state government is prepared to deal with Cyclone Dana. She had earlier announced the closure of all primary and secondary schools in 9 districts from 23rd to 26th October 2024.
Meanwhile, the rescue forces including the NDRF, SDRF, Indian Coast Guards, Indian Navy and the Indian Army have been put on high alert.
The severe cyclonic storm “DANA” (pronounced as Dana) over northwest & adjoining central Bay of Bengal moved north-northwestwards with a speed of 12 kmph during past 6 hours and lay centred at 0830 hrs IST of today, the 24th October, over northwest Bay of Bengal, near latitude… pic.twitter.com/6uQs63lztL
— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) October 24, 2024
