3 Odisha Ports Issue ‘Signal 10’ Danger Warning Ahead Of Cyclone ‘Dana’ Landfall

Bhubaneswar: With Cyclone ‘Dana’ expected to make landfall along Odisha coast close to Bhitarkanika and Dhamra by Octobee 24-25, warning signal number 10 indicating ‘great danger’ has been hoisted at Paradip, Dhamra and Puri ports, Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre director Manorama Mohanty informed on Wednesday.

Gopalpur port in Ganjam district has hoisted signal number 8, she said, adding that fishing activities will remain suspended during this period.

According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone ‘Dana’ over Eastcentral Bay of Bengal moved northwestwards with a speed of 12 kmph during past 6 hours and lay centred at 14.30 hrs, over the Eastcentral & adjoining Westcentral Bay of Bengal, about 460 km southeast of Paradip (Odisha), 490 km south-southeast of Dhamara (Odisha) and 540 km south-southeast of Sagar Island (West Bengal). It is very likely to move northwestwards and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over Northwest Bay of Bengal by early morning of October 24 and cross north Odisha and West Bengal coasts between Puri and Sagar Island close to Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra port, a stretch of about 70 km, during night of October 24 and October 25 morning with a wind speed of 100-110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph.

Mohanty further stated that very heavy rain is likely to commence in Odisha from October 23 evening.

Meanwhile, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) said it is on high alert and mobilised its vessels and aircraft to respond swiftly to any contingency owing to the cyclonic storm. It has deployed helicopters and remote operating stations at Haldia in West Bengal and Paradip in Odisha to broadcast regular weather warnings to fishermen and mariners.