Odisha: Cyclonic storm ‘Dana’ likely to make landfall between Puri and Sagar Island

The severe cyclonic storm ‘Dana’ is expected to make landfall between Puri and Sagar Island on the intervening night of the 24th and 25th of this month with a wind speed of about 120 km per hour. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), has said the cyclonic system will be a depression by tomorrow morning and then become a cyclonic storm by Wednesday over east-central Bay of Bengal. 

Thereafter, it will move northwestwards and reach the northwest Bay of Bengal off the Odisha-West Bengal coasts by Thursday morning. It will continue to move northwestwards and cross north Odisha and West Bengal coasts between Puri and Sagar Island during



the night of Thursday and early morning on Friday as a severe cyclonic storm.

Meanwhile, the Odisha government is gearing up for massive evacuation of people living in low-lying areas of coastal districts. Cyclone shelters are being kept in readiness, while the provision of drinking water during and lighting arrangements are being done. Teams of NDRF, ODRAF and Fire Services have moved towards coastal districts for relief and rescue operations. Union Cabinet Secretary has also spoken with the Odisha Chief Secretary on the state’s preparedness to tackle the possible damages due to ‘Dana’.