Cyclone Dana Approaches Odisha: Great Danger Signal Number 10 Issued at Three Ports

A severe cyclonic storm named Dana is anticipated to make landfall by early Friday, prompting three ports in Odisha to issue great danger signal number 10, according to a senior official from the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The cyclone is expected to bring wind speeds of up to 120 kmph and is likely to hit between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port in Odisha.

According to Manorama Mohanty, Director of the Regional Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, great danger signal number 10 has been issued at Dhamra, Paradip, and Puri ports. Meanwhile, Gopalpur port has been issued great danger signal number 8. Signal number 10 is used when severe weather with wind speeds of 89 kmph or more is expected at ports. It also suggests that the storm may cross over or near these ports.

Impact on Port Operations

Port operations in Paradip and Dhamra have been suspended due to the impending cyclone. The storm is expected to cross between Dhamra in Bhadrak district and Bhitarkanika in Kendrapara district. Dhamra is likely to be severely affected as the eye of the storm is predicted to pass through this port town.

Odisha's Higher Education Minister, Suryabanshi Suraj, mentioned that Dhamra would be the worst hit by the cyclone. "The eye of cyclone Dana will cross through Dhamra due to which the entire area is in danger zone. People are being evacuated and the port authorities have made arrangements for minimising the impact of the calamity," Suraj said. He also stated his intention to spend Wednesday night at Dhamra and visit several places to oversee preparedness.

Cyclone's Path and Intensity

The IMD reported in an evening bulletin that cyclonic storm Dana over the Bay of Bengal moved northwestwards at a speed of 12 kmph during the past six hours. It was centred approximately 460 km southeast of Paradip, Odisha, 490 km south-southeast of Dhamra, Odisha, and 540 km south-southeast of Sagar Island, West Bengal.

The cyclone is expected to continue moving northwestwards and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over the northwest Bay of Bengal by early morning on October 24. It is projected to cross north Odisha and West Bengal coasts between Puri and Sagar Island, close to Bhitarkanika and Dhamra, during the night of October 24 to the morning of October 25, 2024. The IMD forecasts wind speeds of 100-110 kmph with gusts reaching up to 120 kmph.

As preparations continue across affected regions, authorities remain vigilant in their efforts to mitigate potential damage from Cyclone Dana. The focus remains on ensuring safety and minimizing disruptions as much as possible.