Bhubaneswar: The deep depression over Eastcentral Bay of Bengal intensified into Cyclone ‘DANA’ and was centred about 560 km southeast of Paradip in the early hours of Wednesday, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
“Yesterday’s deep depression over Eastcentral Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestwards with a speed of 18 kmph during past 6 hours and intensified into a cyclonic storm ‘Dana’, and lay centred at 5.30 am, about 560 km southeast of Paradip (Odisha, 630 km south-southeast of Sagar Island (West Bengal) and 630 km south-southeast of Khepupara (Bangladesh).”
The system is likely to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm by early October 24 morning and cross coast between Puri and Sagar Island during night of October 24 and morning of October 25 as a severe cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 100-110 kmph gusting 120 kmph, the weather agency said.
Under the influence of the system, light to moderate rainfall may occur at most places in Odisha with heavy rainfall at isolated places on October 23 and October 26. Heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places with extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places is likely on October 24-25.
On October 23, squally weather with wind speed 35 kmph to 45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph may prevail over Central and North Bay of Bengal along and off North Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal coasts.
On October 24, gale winds with speed 60 kmph to 90 kmph gusting to 110 kmph may prevail over many parts of Westcentral & Northwest Bay of Bengal along and off Odisha, West Bengal coasts. Gale winds with speed 90 kmph to 110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph is also likely over many parts of Westcentral & Northwest Bay of Bengal along and off Odisha, West Bengal coasts.
On October 24, gale winds with speed 60 kmph to 90 kmph gusting to 110 kmphmay prevail over many parts of Northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining parts of Westcentral Bay of Bengal, along and off Odisha, West Bengal coasts. Gale winds with speed 90 kmph to 110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph is likely to prevail over Northwest along and off Odisha, West Bengal coasts.
Fishermen have been advised not to venture into these areas.
The Odisha government has plans to evacuate around 10 lakh people, if required, from 3,000 identified vulnerable pockets that are likely to bear the brunt of the severe cyclonic storm, which is likely to make landfall between Kendrapada and Bhadrak districts on Thursday night. It has readied 6,000 cyclone shelters with basic amenities to accommodate the evacuees. Six senior IAS officers have been asked to supervise rescue and relief operation in six most vulnerable districts — Puri, Kendrapada, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jagatsinghpur and Mayurbhanj.
According to IMD forecast, fourteen districts in Odisha are likely to be impacted by cyclone Dana: Angul, Puri, Nayagarh, Khurda, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Balasore, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Ganjam and Mayurbhanj. Schools, colleges and universities will remain shut in these districts till October 25.
All monuments and museums under Archaeological Survey of India’s (ASI) supervision in Odisha will remain closed for two days.