Bhubaneswar: Cyclone Dana, which turned into a severe cyclonic storm last night, was about about 260 km southeast of Paradip (Odisha), 290 km south-southeast of Dhamra (Odisha) and 350 km south of Sagar Island (West Bengal) at 5.30 am on Thursday, according India Meteorological Department (IMD).
“The severe cyclonic storm ‘Dana’ over Central & adjoining Northwest Bay of Bengal moved north-northwestwards with a speed of 12 kmph during past 6 hours, and lay centred at 5.30 am over Northwest & adjoining Central Bay of Bengal, about 260 km southeast of Paradip (Odisha), 290 km south-southeast of Dhamara (Odisha) and 350 km south of Sagar Island (West Bengal).”
It is very likely to move northwestwards and cross north Odisha and West Bengal coasts between Puri and Sagar Island close to Bhitarkanika and Dhamra during midnight of October 24 and October 25 morning as a severe cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 100-110 kmph gusting 120 kmph, it added.
The weather agency further stated that light to moderate rainfall may occur at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places and extremely heavy rainfall (≥ 21 cm) at isolated places in Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak, Kendrapada, Jagatsingpur Keonjhar, Jajpur, Cuttack and Dhenkanal, Khurda and Puri districts of Odisha on October 24-25.
Orange warning of moderate to intense rain/thundershower with wind speed 30 to 40 kmph gusting 45 kmph was also sounded for some parts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghput and Jajpur till 10.30 am.
Kendrapara, Bhadrak, and Balasore have been categorised as high-risk zones with wind speeds up to 120 kmph and potential tidal surge up to 2 metres. Mayurbhanj is in the second category, where wind speeds would be at 80-90 kmph, gusting to 100 kmph.
To ensure zero casualties, the Odisha government has targeted to relocate 10 lakh people from coastal areas. While around 3-4 lakh were evacuated by Wednesday evening, the rest will be moved by Thursday. All marine activities, including fishing, have been suspended till the cyclone’s landfall.
Three NDRF, 6 ODRAF, 10 Fire Service and 6 Forest department teams have been deployed at several vulnerable locations across different blocks of Kendrapada.
“The government is totally prepared. All concerned departments are in position and all officers and workers of various departments are in place and ready to tackle any eventuality…Each and every department, including the Chief Minister, Urban Minister, Revenue Minister, everybody is seized of the situation and we are taking whatever necessary steps that need to be taken at the ground level. Rather than creating a fear psychosis amongst the people, we should be more pro-active and give justice to the people…,” Deputy Chief Minister K V Singhdeo told ANI.
All educational institutions, including schools, colleges and universities, will remain shut in 14 districts till October 25.
