Coastal Odisha braces for Cyclone Dana’s likely arrival on October 24

IMD warns of cyclonic storm forming over Bay of Bengal, heavy rainfall expected in Odisha, fishermen advised to return

Odisha has started preparations to face a possible cyclone christened ‘Dana’, which is likely to hit its coastal areas on October 24, with wind speeds likely to reach 100 to 120 km per hour, according to the India Meteorological Department.

The IMD said that an upper air cyclonic circulation lay over the north Andaman Sea on October 20. “Under its influence, a low pressure area is very likely to form over the east central Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Andaman Sea during next 24 hours. It is very likely to move west north west wards and intensify into a depression by October 22 morning and into a cyclonic storm by October 23 over east central Bay of Bengal,” the IMD predicted. “Thereafter, it is very likely to move northwest wards and reach northwest Bay of Bengal off Odisha-West Bengal coasts by October 24 morning,” it added.

Disaster response teams

The Odisha government has decided to deploy disaster response forces in its coastal districts which are likely to be impacted by the approaching cyclone. The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Odisha Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja and attended by senior officials.

The IMD has issued a yellow warning for October 23, predicting very heavy rainfall ranging from 7 cm to 11 cm in coastal districts such as Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, and Cuttack. A red warning has been sounded for the morning of October 24 for Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Khordha, and Ganjam, where rainfall could range between 7 cm and 20 cm.

In preparation, marine fishermen have begun moving their vessels to safer locations and have halted deep-sea fishing to avoid difficulties in returning to shore before the storm hits the coast.

Evacuation preparation

“We are fully prepared to face the approaching cyclone. People should not unnecessarily panic over cyclone prediction,” said Suresh Pujari, State Revenue and Disaster Management Minister. The Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department also warned unscrupulous traders not to resort to hoarding.

All district collectors have been asked to identify people living in vulnerable pockets and shift them to cyclone shelters. All pregnant women who are expecting babies this week are being asked to move to nearby hospitals to ensure safer deliveries.

“The State government is keeping a close watch on the evolving situation. All line departments have been alerted,” said D.K. Singh, Special Relief Commissioner, addressing a press conference. For the next three days, regular high level reviews will be convened to take stock of the situation. Mr. Singh said the State government is in constant touch with the Centre to get necessary assistance in case of exigencies.

Published - October 20, 2024 04:35 pm IST