Dana turns into 'Severe Cyclonic Storm', Bengal and Odisha brace for impact

Cyclone Dana, now classified as a severe cyclonic storm, is rapidly approaching the Odisha coast and is expected to make landfall between Bhitarkanika and Dhamra late tonight or in the early hours of Friday morning, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The storm is currently located 280 km southeast of Paradip and 310 km from Dhamra, moving at 15 km/h. Winds during landfall are anticipated to reach speeds of 100-120 km/h, posing significant risks to Balasore, Bhadrak, and Kendrapara districts.

Odisha’s coastal districts have been experiencing heavy rain since Wednesday, with conditions worsening as the storm nears. IMD has issued warnings about high tides, flooding, and widespread damage to infrastructure, including the uprooting of trees and damage to power lines and homes, particularly those with thatched roofs. The landfall process is expected to last for five hours, with the most severe impact anticipated in Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Balasore, and Bhadrak. Adjacent districts such as Puri, Khurdha, Cuttack, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, and Dhenkanal are also likely to face heavy rains and gusty winds.

West Bengal’s southern districts, including Kolkata, North and South 24 Parganas, and Purba and Paschim Medinipur, are preparing for heavy rains and strong winds. The IMD forecasts wind speeds of up to 120 km/h in the Bay of Bengal, warning fishermen against venturing out. The Eastern and South Eastern Railways have canceled multiple trains on Thursday and Friday due to the cyclone, which could disrupt public transport across West Bengal.

Large-scale evacuations are already in progress in both states. Odisha has evacuated over 3 lakh people from vulnerable areas, while West Bengal has moved approximately 1.14 lakh people to safety. Fire Services, ODRAF, and NDRF teams are fully mobilized, with 182 Fire Services teams deployed across 13 districts in Odisha, along with 51 ODRAF and 19 NDRF teams on high alert in key locations.

IMD has warned that very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall will continue through Thursday and Friday in the coastal districts of Odisha and West Bengal. Flooding, infrastructure damage, and power outages are expected as the cyclone moves inland. The storm is predicted to weaken gradually after landfall but will continue to bring severe weather conditions to large parts of eastern India.