Cyclonic storm 'Dana' formed over Bay of Bengal: IMD

The deep depression over the Bay of Bengal intensified into a cyclonic storm named 'Dana' on Wednesday morning, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. It is expected to become a severe cyclone before crossing the eastern coast between Puri in Odisha and Sagar Island in West Bengal, with wind speeds reaching 120 km per hour on October 25, according to the IMD.

In a bulletin, the national weather agency said, "Yesterday's deep depression over east-central Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestward at a speed of 18 km per hour over the past six hours and intensified into cyclonic storm 'Dana'."

As of 5:30 AM, the system was located approximately 560 km southeast of Paradip (Odisha) and 630 km south-southeast of Sagar Island (West Bengal).

The IMD further noted, "It is very likely to move northwestward and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over the northwest Bay of Bengal by early morning on October 24. It is expected to cross north Odisha and West Bengal coasts between Puri and Sagar Island during the night of October 24 to the morning of October 25, 2024, as a severe cyclonic storm with wind speeds of up to 120 km per hour."

Coastal districts in both states are preparing for the worst, with the Odisha government announcing school closures and initiating large-scale evacuations in high-risk areas.

The storm is projected to cross the coastline between Puri and Sagar Island, and though the exact landfall point is yet to be confirmed, preparations are underway to minimize the impact. Authorities have begun ‘100% evacuation’ efforts in vulnerable regions, with the focus on protecting residents from potential flooding and wind damage.