Bhubaneswar: Cyclonic storm Dana weakened into a deep depression over north coastal Odisha and was about 40 km north-northwest of Bhadrak at 2.30 pm, according to the India Meteorological Department.
The maximum sustained wind around the centre of the system is 55-65 kmph gusting to 75 kmph. “It is likely to move nearly westwards across north Odisha and weaken gradually into a depression during next 12 hours. The system is under continuous surveillance of the doppler weather radar at Paradip,” it added.
Cyclone Dana made landfall along Odisha coast between Bhitarkanika in Kendrapada and Dhamra in Bhadrak shortly after midnight, bringing with it torrential rain and intense winds. It was close to Habalikhati Nature Camp & Dhamra during 1.30-3.30 am on Friday with a wind speed of 100-120 kmph. The landfall process took around eight and half hours and was completed at 8.30 am with the storm about 30 km northeast of Bhadrak and 50 km north-northwest of Dhamra.
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According to IMD scientist Umashankar Das, the severe cyclonic storm could not gain strength and cause extensive damage as it got sandwiched between two anti-cyclonic circulations in east and west. Dry winds blowing from Arabian sea also affected its intensity.
“IMD’s forecast regarding the track, landfall time, wind speed and other aspects was correct. The areas through which the cyclonic storm passed witnessed heavy rainfall. There was a rise in the wind speed in some districts including Jajpur, Bhadrak and Balasore at 6 am and it was accompanied by heavy rainfall. The intensity of wind and rainfall, however, was relatively less in nearby areas,” he said.
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He said that wind warning of 100-110 kmph was sounded only for Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Balasore and Bhadrak. “Similar condition was observed in Kendrapda when the landfall process began. At Chandbali, the wind speed was 80 kmph. Between 8.30 am and 10.30 am, 59mm rainfall was recorded at Chandbali,” he said.
Das added that issuing forecast regarding weak cyclonic storms is challenging compared to intense cyclones.
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