Landfall on 24th night, 70kmph winds in Kolkata says MET office

Starting from the 23rd of October, West Bengal is expected to experience deteriorating weather conditions. The worst impact is forecasted for the 24th and 25th of October, when heavy to very heavy rainfall and strong winds are expected across all South Bengal districts. Currently, no such warnings have been issued for North Bengal, but forecasts suggest potential rainfall and strong winds.

By the 24th of October, Cyclone Dana is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm, posing significant risks to the coastal regions. The projected landfall is estimated between the Odisha coast and the West Bengal coast, with a particular focus on the Bhyatharakanika mangrove area, located between Baleshwar and Kendrapara. The storm is anticipated to bring winds with speeds ranging from 80 to 120 kmph.

District-Specific Warnings:

• Red Alert (Heavy to Very Heavy Rainfall): South 24 Parganas, East and West Medinipur, and Jhargram districts are expected to receive 70 to 200 mm or more of rainfall.
• Orange Alert (Heavy to Very Heavy Rainfall): North 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hooghly, Kolkata, Purulia, and Bankura districts are forecasted to experience similar heavy rainfall (70 to 200 mm).
• Yellow Alert (Moderate to Heavy Rainfall): Other South Bengal districts including Murshidabad, Birbhum, East and West Burdwan, and Nadia may see substantial rain.

Probable Wind Speeds:

• Wind speeds in Medinipur and Jhargram districts are expected to range between 50 and 100 kmph.
• The rest of South Bengal could face wind speeds between 40 and 80 kmph.

Fishermen and Safety Precautions: All fishing activities are strictly prohibited from the 22nd to the 25th of October due to rough sea conditions. Residents in affected areas are urged to follow weather updates and official advisories. Basic safety precautions such as stocking essential supplies, securing valuables, and avoiding travel to impacted areas are highly recommended. In case of official instructions, citizens should take shelter in cyclone centers or relief camps.

Helpline Numbers:

• National Disaster Response Force (NDRF): 011-23438298
• State Disaster Response Team (SDRT): 1070 (Toll-free)

The IMD and the Alipur Meteorological Department continue to monitor the situation closely. The public is advised to stay calm, avoid panic, and be prepared by following all guidelines issued by the authorities.