Cyclone Dana Just 50 Km Away: Landfall Expected Tonight Between Odisha And West Bengal Coastline

The severe cyclonic storm Dana was located approximately 50 km east of Paradip and 60 km south-southeast of Dhamra along the Odisha coast at 10:30 PM on Thursday, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

"The storm over the Northwest Bay of Bengal moved north-northwestward at a speed of 13 km/h over the past three hours and remained centered over the same region at 10:30 PM, situated about 50 km east of Paradip (Odisha), 60 km south-southeast of Dhamra (Odisha), and 170 km south-southwest of Sagar Island (West Bengal)."

Dana is expected to continue moving north-northwestward and make landfall along the coasts of north Odisha and West Bengal between Puri and Sagar Island, near Bhitarkanika and Dhamra, during the midnight hours of October 24 to the morning of October 25 as a severe cyclonic storm.

At the time of landfall, the storm is forecasted to produce winds of 110 km/h, with gusts reaching up to 120 km/h. Heavy rainfall, potential flooding, and tidal surges are anticipated in vulnerable coastal areas.

A storm surge is predicted to reach heights of 1.0 to 2.0 meters above the astronomical tide in Kendrapada, Bhadrak, and Balasore districts, while a surge of 0.5 to 1.0 meter is expected in Jagatsinghpur district at the time of landfall.

Gale-force winds with speeds of 100-110 km/h, gusting to 120 km/h, are currently affecting areas along and off the northern Odisha coast and are expected to persist until the morning of October 25, gradually decreasing thereafter. Winds of 60-80 km/h, gusting to 90 km/h, are anticipated along and off the southern Odisha coast until the morning of October 25, with a gradual decline expected thereafter.

The IMD has forecast light to moderate rainfall across most areas, with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few locations and extremely heavy rainfall (≥ 21 cm) at isolated spots in Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak, Kendrapada, Jagatsingpur, Keonjhar, Jajpur, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Khurda, and Puri districts from October 24 to 25.

Additionally, wind warnings have been issued for various districts in Odisha during these two days. Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak, and Balasore are categorized as high-risk zones, experiencing wind velocities of 100-110 km/h, gusting to 120 km/h. Mayurbhanj, along with Jajpur and Cuttack, is in the second category, with wind speeds of 60-70 km/h, gusting to 80 km/h.

The districts of Puri, Khurda, Dhenkanal, and Keonjhar may see wind speeds of 60-70 km/h, gusting to 80 km/h, while Sundargarh district can expect wind speeds of 50-60 km/h, gusting to 70 km/h.

In Bhubaneswar, wind speeds are predicted to gradually increase and peak by tonight. "In the capital city, heavy rainfall is anticipated, and wind speeds will steadily rise, reaching their maximum tonight. The severe cyclonic storm is likely to slightly recurve westward and southwestward after landfall, bringing rain to southern Odisha around October 26," stated Manorama Mohanty, director of the Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre.

In preparation for the severe cyclonic storm, authorities in both Odisha and West Bengal have evacuated thousands of people, closed schools, canceled more than 400 trains, and suspended flight operations.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced that its satellites are actively monitoring the approaching cyclonic storm Dana near the coasts of Odisha and West Bengal, providing real-time data to support disaster management efforts.