Cyclone Dana Crosses North Odisha Coast: Winds Reach 120 Kmph, Heavy Rainfall Expected

Severe cyclonic storm 'Dana' made landfall on Odisha coast, bringing winds up to 110 kmph and heavy rainfall, with evacuation of nearly 584,000 residents.

Bhubaneswar: The severe cyclonic storm 'Dana' has made landfall along the north Odisha coast, particularly impacting areas near the Habalikhati nature camp in Bhitarkanika and Dhamara. The storm, which intensified overnight, registered wind speeds of 100-110 kmph guests reaching up to 120 kmph. Landfall occurred between 1.30 AM and 3.30 AM IST on Friday, prompting immediate action from local authorities.

As per the latest bulletin, the severe cyclonic storm, initially located over the Northwest Bay of Bengal, was moving north-northwest at a speed of 13kmph. The system was centred at latitude 20.60° N and longitude 87.00° E, approximately 20 km south-southeast of Dhamara.

The landfall process is ongoing, with the forward sector of the wall cloud region continuing to enter land, expected to last until Friday morning. The IMD reports that the storm is under continuous surveillance from the Doppler weather radar at Paradip.

Current Situation

As of 5.30 AM IST, Cyclone Dana was located approximately 20 km north-northwest of Dhamara and 40 km north-northwest of Habalikhati. The storm is moving north-northwest at a speed of 10 kmph and is expected to gradually weaken into a cyclonic storm by afternoon. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) is actively monitoring the situation and providing updates on the storm's progress.

Impact on Coastal Districts

The coastal districts of Bhadrak, Kendrapara, and Balasore are experiencing severe weather conditions. The wind speeds have significantly impacted infrastructure, with trees uprooted and localised flooding reported in several areas. A local resident, Priya Das, expressed concerns saying, "We have never seen such strong winds before. We are just hoping our homes will withstand this storm."

Fortunately, as of now, no major damages or casualties have been confirmed. Umashankar Das, a senior scientist at the Regional Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, stated that the landfall process is expected to last several hours, maintaining high winds until Friday morning.

Government Response and Evacuation

In preparation for the cyclone's impact, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced that approximately 584,000 people have been evacuated from high-risk zones, particularly in low-lying areas. "The safety of our citizens is our top priority. We are fully prepared to take any challenges that arise," Majhi affirmed.

The Odisha government has mobilised resources and personnel to ensure public safety and both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have reached out to assess the state's preparedness.

Rainfall Predictions

The IMD has issued warnings for extremely heavy rainfall across various districts, including Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak, and Kendrapara. Some areas may experience rainfall amounts exceeding 21 cm. Local fisherman Raju Sahu voiced his worries, saying, "We have been advised not to go out to sea. It's best to stay safe and wait for the storm to pass."

The IMD also anticipates gale-force winds to persist along the northern coast until Friday morning, with a gradual decrease expected thereafter.

Ongoing Monitoring and Public Safety

As Cyclone Dana progresses inland, local authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and adhere to safety measures. Emergency services are on standby to assist those affected by the storm. Continuous updates will be provided by the IMD and state officials to ensure public safety.

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