School Holiday Announced In 14 Districts As Odisha Prepares For Cyclone Dana's Impact

The Odisha government is taking decisive action to ensure public safety as Cyclone Dana approaches the state. As a precaution, schools in 14 districts will be closed from October 23 to 25.

The affected districts include Ganjam, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Angul, Khurda, Nayagarh, and Cuttack. This decision was announced by the Office of the Special Relief Commissioner on October 21, highlighting the anticipated heavy rainfall and strong winds associated with the cyclone.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that Cyclone Dana will intensify into a severe cyclonic storm, making landfall between Puri and Sagar Island on the night of October 24 or early morning of October 25. The system is expected to generate winds of 100-110 km/h, with gusts reaching up to 120 km/h, along with heavy rainfall in Odisha's coastal districts.

A red alert has been issued by the IMD for the coastal districts of Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, and Bhadrak on October 24. Fishermen are advised to refrain from venturing into the sea until October 25.

As the cyclone Dana approaches, authorities are urging residents to stay informed about weather updates and adhere to safety guidelines provided by local officials.