India Meteorological Department said the landfall process of severe cyclonic storm ‘Dana’, which commenced five minutes past midnight last night on the Odisha coast between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port, has now moved across the northern Odisha and West Bengal coasts. Bhubaneswar Met Office sources said the landfall started with the entry of the outer cloud mass of the system, and wind speeds reached 120 km per hour when the cyclonic storm entered the land. The cyclone maintained its intensity as a severe storm for three to four hours before weakening into a cyclonic storm. Alongside the strong winds, heavy rainfall has been reported in Kendrapara and Bhadrak districts, with significant downpours continuing in Mayurbhanj, Cuttack, Jajpur, Balasore, and Jagatsinghpur districts and surrounding areas. Local authorities are on high alert, implementing emergency response measures to safeguard residents in at-risk regions. Chief Minister Mohan Majhi is actively monitoring the situation. Government sources said the full extent of damage due to the cyclone will be assessed once it dissipates.India Meteorological Department has said the landfall process of severe cyclonic storm ‘Dana’, which commenced five minutes past midnight last night on the Odisha coast between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port, will continue till early this morning, with wind speeds of 100 to 110 km per hour.
Sources from the Bhubaneswar Met Office said the landfall started with the entry of the outer cloud mass of the system. When the cyclonic storm reaches land, wind speeds are expected to reach 120 kmph.
IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said the storm will likely move north-northwestwards and cross north Odisha and West Bengal coasts before early this morning. It will likely maintain its intensity as a severe storm until three to four hours before weakening into a cyclonic storm. In addition to powerful winds, heavy rainfall is expected to accompany Cyclone Dana, with predictions of significant downpours in Mayurbhanj, Cuttack, Jajpur, Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, and Jagatsinghpur Kendrapara, Bhadrak districts and adjoining areas.
The IMD has warned of potential storm surges that could flood coastal areas. Local authorities have been on high alert, activating emergency response protocols to ensure the safety of residents in vulnerable areas. Odisha Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja said the government has assessed the disaster preparedness of all districts in the state. More than 6 lakh people have been evacuated and moved to cyclone shelters. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi continues to monitor the situation.
The landfall process of the severe cyclonic storm Dana was also reported in Kolkata, South and North 24 Parganas, Purba and Paschim Medinipur and other districts of West Bengal. No major incident has been reported till now.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is monitoring the situation at the state secretariat Nabanna with the home secretary and other senior officials present on field.
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