IMD Issues Red Warning Of Very Heavy Rain As Odisha Braces For Cyclone ‘Dana’

Bhubaneswar: Possible Cyclone ‘Dana’, which is likely to form over  Eastcentral Bay of Bengal by October 23, may trigger heavy to very heavy rainfall in Odisha.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued cyclone warning for Odisha and West Bengal, with the former expected to bear the maximum brunt of the severe cyclonic storm.

The cyclonic circulation over North Andaman Sea is expected to intensify into a low-pressure area over the Eastcentral Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Andaman Sea during the next 24 hours, move west-northwestwards and intensify into a depression by October 22 morning and into a cyclonic storm by October 23 over Eastcentral Bay of Bengal. Thereafter, it is very likely to move northwestwards and reach northwest Bay of Bengal off Odisha-West Bengal coasts by October 24 morning, according to the national forecaster.

This cyclone is likely to be named Dana, a name given by Qatar.

The weather agency, however, is yet to forecast the possible track, landfall severity and position of the possible cyclone.

Also Read: Season’s 1st Tropical Cyclone ‘Dana’ To Take Shape By Oct 23, Cross Odisha-Bengal Coasts

RAIN WARNING FOR ODISHA

Under its influence, heavy rainfall (7 to 11cm) accompanied by thunderstorm with lightning may begin at isolated places in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Ganjam, Gajapati on October 23.

The intensity of rain is likely to increase thereafter.

Red warning of isolated heavy to very heavy falls (7 to 20cm) with isolated extremely heavy rainfall (>20cm) & thunderstorm with lightning has been sounded for isolated places in Puri, Khurda, Ganjam and Jagatsinghpur districts on October 24.

There is also an orange warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall (7 to 20cm) along with thunderstorm with lightning for isolated places in Kendrapada, Cuttack, Nayagarh, Kandhamal and Gajapati. Yellow warning of heavy rainfall (7 to 11cm) & thunderstorm with lightning has also been issued for isolated places in Bhadrak, Balasore, Jajpur, Angul, Dhenkanal, Boudh, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar districts.

On October 25, scattered heavy to very heavy falls(7 to 20cm) with isolated extremely heavy rainfall (>20cm) may occur at isolated places in South Odisha. Amid a decease in intensity, heavy rainfall (7 to 11cm) may continue at isolated places in southern districts of the state on October 26.

WIND WARNING

Squally wind speed reaching 40-50 gusting to 60 kmph is very likely to commence over North west adjoining West central Bay of Bengal, along and off Odisha coast, from October 23 evening. It would gradually increase becoming gale wind speed reaching 100-110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph from Oct0ber 24 night till October 25 morning.

SEA CONDITION

Sea condition is likely to be rough to very rough along Odisha coast from October 23 evening and would become high from October 24 evening to October 25 forenoon.

Fishermen have been advised not to venture into Eastcentral Bay of Bengal from October 21-24 and adjoining areas of Westcentral Bay of Bengal from October 23-24, North Bay of Bengal and along & off Odisha, West Bengal and Bangladesh coasts from October 23-25. Fishermen out at sea are advised to return to coasts by October 21.

ADVISORY

The MeT office has also warned of flash flood/waterlogging in low-lying areas, inundation of agriculture field, and mudslides/landslides in vulnerable hilly areas. The heavy downpour may also lead to significant rise in water level of rivers. There is also a possibility of some damage to unmetalled road and vulnerable kutcha houses.