BhubaneswarCyclonic Storm Dana, which developed in the east-central Bay of Bengal, has transformed into a ‘severe’ cyclonic storm. It is likely to reach Odisha coast between Bhitarkanika and Dhamra in Bhadrak district tonight and October 25 morning. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said Cyclonic storm ‘Dana’ over east-central and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal moved north-northwestwards at a speed of 15 kmph during the last six hours. It turned into a severe cyclonic storm over the adjacent north-west Bay of Bengal. It is very likely to move north-westwards, cross Odisha and West Bengal coasts between Puri and Sagar Island, near Bhitarkanika and Dhamra between midnight of 24 October and morning of 25 October as a Severe Cyclonic Storm. Will do.
Its wind speed will be 100-110 km/hr, which can reach up to 120 km/hr in gusts. Meanwhile, coastal districts like Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Kendrapara, Bhadrak and Balasore have been receiving rain since Wednesday evening due to the impact of Cyclone Dana which is fast moving towards the Odisha coast. The wind speed is continuously increasing at these places. Manorama Mohanty, Director of IMD in Bhubaneswar, told media persons on Thursday that in the last 24 hours due to Cyclone Dana, Paradip received maximum rainfall of 51 mm, while Chandbali area received 39 mm rainfall.
He also said that the cyclonic storm will hit the coast at midnight on Thursday and the process will continue till Friday morning. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had already said that till Wednesday evening, about three lakh people have been evacuated from sensitive areas of the affected districts. The state government had set a target of evacuating around 10 lakh people from sensitive areas to safe places, cyclone shelters and relief centres. He had assured that the evacuation process would be completed by afternoon. The state government has set up about six thousand relief centers and cyclone shelters.