Cyclone Dana Highlights: Great danger signal number 10 issued at 3 ports in Odisha

The Orissa High Court will remain closed on Thursday and Friday in view of cyclonic storm Dana, according to a notification.

The cyclone, with wind speeds expected to reach up to 120 kmph, is likely to make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port in Odisha by Friday morning, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

"In view of the upcoming natural calamity, severe cyclonic storm Dana, the functioning of the court and offices of the high court shall remain closed on October 24 & 25," said the notification issued by the registrar (judicial) of the HC on Wednesday.

Cyclone Dana Tracker Live: NDRF personnel conduct awareness drive in view of cyclone

"The evacuation process (from affected areas) is underway, but it will be completed till 11 am tomorrow. Officials have been instructed to complete the evacuation process by 11 am tomorrow," says Odisha Minister Suresh Pujari.

The West Bengal government has evacuated more than 1.14 lakh people from vulnerable areas, including Sundarbans and Sagar Island, to safer shelters.

The state government has identified 2,82,863 people from the districts of Bankura, Hooghly, Howrah, North and South 24 Parganas, Paschim and Purba Medinipur, and Kolkata for evacuation. So far, 1,14,613 people have already been moved to safety.

The evacuation focused on moving people from coastal regions to shelters, especially in the South 24 Parganas district, which includes Sagar Island, Sundarbans, and Kakdwip.

Residents of Kakdwip, Namkhana, Diamond Harbour, and Raichak have also been relocated to safer places.

Cyclone Dana Tracker Live Updates: Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik creates sand art to pray for the safety of people during

Popular sea beaches of Odisha wore a deserted look on Wednesday as the state is making preparations to tackle cyclone Dana which is likely to make landfall in the early hours of October 25.

Besides gusting wind, the cyclone will bring torrential rain and tidal waves in the state, because of which the administration has restricted entry of people to the beaches.

Except for some police personnel, no visitors could be found on the seashores of Puri, Gopalpur, Paradip, Chandipur, and others.

The NDRF has deployed a total of 56 teams in five states, including Odisha and West Bengal, in view of cyclone 'Dana', which is expected to make landfall along the Odisha coast between October 24 and 25.

Mohsen Shahedi, deputy inspector general (operations) of the NDRF, said that the teams are equipped with pole and tree cutters, inflatable boats, basic first-aid tools and other flood rescue equipment.

"The focus areas for us, and as informed by the IMD and other agencies, are the states of Odisha and West Bengal," the officer of the federal disaster contingency force said.

Low-lying areas in Kendrapara, Bhadrak, and Balasore districts are likely to be inundated. The IMD cautioned that Cyclone 'Dana' would bring significant rainfall to the state, predicting light to moderate rain at most locations, with heavy rainfall (7-11 cm) in isolated areas over Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, and Khordha starting in the evening of October 23.

The government has identified 14 districts at risk, with the coastal areas facing high winds and inland regions expected to receive heavy to extremely heavy rainfall. The districts are Angul, Puri, Nayagarh, Khordha, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Balasore, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Ganjam, and Mayurbhanj.

On October 24 and 25, heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in several places, with isolated areas receiving extremely heavy rainfall (over 21 cm) in districts including Balasore, Mayurbhanj, and Jajpur.

The Kolkata airport authorities have decided to suspend flight operations for 15 hours from 6 pm on Thursday in view of the possible impact of cyclone Dana, an official said.

“In view of Cyclone Dana's impact on the coastal region of West Bengal, including Kolkata, it has been decided to suspend the flight operations from 6 pm on October 24 to 9 am on October 25 due to predicted heavy winds and heavy to very heavy rainfall at Kolkata,” an AAI spokesperson said.

Cyclone Dana Tracker Live Updates: Convective clouds associated with the western periphery of Cyclone DANA as seen from Doppler Weather Radar at Paradip

The landfall process is expected to start on the night of October 24 and continue till the morning of October 25. The maximum speed during the landfall process is likely to be around 120 kmph, IMD DG Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said.

He said landfall is mostly a slow process, usually taking around 5-6 hours. "Therefore, heavy rainfall, wind, and storm surge will peak during the landfall time which is between October 24 night and October 25 morning," he added.

During the landfall, a tidal surge of up to 2 metres is expected, with the cyclone reaching the coast at a wind velocity of 120 km/h, Umashankar Das, senior scientist at the regional meteorological centre in Bhubaneswar, said.

As a precautionary measure, boats at the fish landing centre Dhamra, Odisha, were anchored to keep the boats from drifting away in the strong winds.

“I had a meeting with the Collector of Puri and other officials...Puri is in the orange zone...179 shelters have been built...ODRAF and NDRF teams have also reached the spot...11 teams of the fire department have also been deployed...Proper arrangements are being made to ensure the safety of the public...An advisory has also been issued...Odisha government is fully prepared...”

As a precautionary measure, trains at the Shalimar railway station in West Bengal were tied to the railway track with the help of chains and locks to keep the trains from sliding away due to strong winds.

The mangrove forest spread over nearly 200 square km in Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha's Kendrapara district would reduce the impact of impending cyclone Dana, if it makes landfall in the area, a senior forest officer said.

As per India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast, cyclone Dana is expected to make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapara district and Dhamra port in Bhadrak district on Thursday night or Friday morning as a severe cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 100-110 kmph.

"It is a matter of relief for Odisha as the cyclone is likely to hit the coast at Bhitarkanika where we have a mangrove forest area spanning over nearly 200 sq km," Principal Chief Conservators of Forests (PCCF) Wildlife, Susanta Nanda told local media.

The Odisha government has issued emergency contact numbers and said residents can reach the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) at 7682982668 or 0674-2534177.

The IMD said Cyclone ‘Dana’ is likely to make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra port, a distance of around 70km, early Friday.

Umashankar Das, senior scientist at the regional meteorological centre in Bhubaneswar, said, "Based on the trajectory of the system, it is anticipated that Cyclone ‘Dana’ will make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapara district and Dhamra port in Bhadrak district."

During the landfall, a tidal surge of up to 2 metres is expected, with the cyclone reaching the coast at a wind velocity of 120 km/h, he said.

Senior IMD scientist Umashankar Das posted on X, "According to radar data from Paradip, the outer band of Cyclone ‘Dana’ has touched the land mass in Bhadrak and Kendrapara districts." He clarified that while the cyclone is around 500 km offshore, its outer bands, composed of clouds, can influence local weather conditions.

The latest IMD bulletin forecast light to moderate rainfall—between 7 cm and 11 cm—at isolated locations in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Puri, Jajpur and Cuttack.

Additionally, the national weather agency said rain and thunderstorms, with wind speeds of up to 45 kmph, may affect parts of Bhadrak, Balasore, and Kendrapada just ahead of the landfall. These three districts will also experience winds with speed of 120 kmph along with extremely heavy rainfall during the landfall, the IMD said.

Cyclone Dana Tracker Live Updates: West Bengal's Digha beach evacuated as cyclone approaches

Parts of Kendrapara and Bhadrak districts in Odisha experienced rain and adverse weather conditions on Wednesday afternoon with the Indian Meterological Centre (IMD) saying that the outer bands of Cyclone ‘Dana’ has begun to affect the eastern coastline.

Senior IMD scientist Umashankar Das posted on X, "According to radar data from Paradip, the outer band of Cyclone ‘Dana’ has touched the land mass in Bhadrak and Kendrapara districts." He clarified that while the cyclone is around 500 km offshore, its outer bands, composed of clouds, can influence local weather conditions.

The Eastern Railway will not operate any local train from Sealdah station from 8 pm on Thursday till 10 am on Friday in view of the cyclonic storm 'Dana', an official said.

The step was taken as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of train passengers in the Sealdah division that serves six districts of West Bengal - North 24 Praganas, South 24 Praganas, Nadia, Murshidabad, Kolkata and Howrah.

The storm which is likely to make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra port in Odisha early Friday with wind speeds of up to 120 kmph, will bring heavy rain in several south Bengal districts on October 24 and 25, the Met office said.

Cyclonic storm 'Dana', which formed over east-central Bay of Bengal on Wednesday, is set to bring heavy rainfall in several south Bengal districts, including Kolkata, the IMD said.

Eastern and South Eastern railways cancelled over 150 trains on October 24 and 25, in view of the cyclone.

The storm is likely to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm over northwest Bay of Bengal and make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra port in Odisha early Friday with wind speeds of up to 120 kilometres per hour (kmph), the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

Odisha Civil Services Preliminary Examination - 2023-24 scheduled to be held on October 27 postponed in view of the impending cyclonic storm DANA. The next date for the exam will be notified after 7 days.

Speaking on NDRF deployment ahead of the landfall of cyclone 'Dana', NDRF DIG Mohsen Shahedi says, “twenty teams have been deployed in Odisha, 13 in West Bengal with 4 teams kept in reserve, preparations made in Andhra Pradesh's Vizag and 9 teams in Jharkhand...We are expecting that maximum evacuation will be done today before landfall of cyclone tomorrow..."

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Region (North-East) has initiated a range of preventive measures to protect lives and property at sea. As part of its dedication to maritime safety, the ICG has deployed ships, aircraft, and Remote Operating Stations in West Bengal and Odisha to issue regular weather updates and safety advisories to fishermen and mariners. Continuous alerts are being broadcast to all fishing vessels, urging them to return to shore and seek safe shelter immediately.

Odisha Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling highlighted the state's proactive measures. "The Health Department is on alert," he said, adding that all Chief District Medical Officers (CDMOs) have had their leaves canceled to ensure readiness.

Mahaling noted that specific precautions have been implemented to address potential snake venom incidents, which can occur during natural disasters. He also mentioned that the Chief Minister is personally monitoring the situation to ensure public safety and effective response measures are in place.

IMD Senior Scientist Umashankar Das further provided an update on Cyclone Dana, stating, "The deep depression has intensified further into a cyclonic storm today at 5:30 AM. It is moving in the northwest direction at a speed of 15 km/hour and is currently located 520 km southeast of Paradip. We anticipate that it may further intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by the morning of October 24."

Das outlined the expected impact, saying, "The cyclone is likely to cross North Odisha and West Bengal, with the landfall anticipated between midnight of October 24 and the early morning of October 25. The expected wind speed is 100-110 km/hour, gusting up to 120 km/hour, and rainfall of 7-20 cm may occur in affected areas."

He also noted that a red warning has been issued for October 24 and 25, advising fishermen to refrain from venturing into the sea until October 25.

Former Chief Minister of Odisha and BJD chief Naveen Patnaik today addressed the people of Odisha regarding Cyclone Dana, urging calm and cooperation during this challenging time.

He stated, "Don't panic upon hearing about the cyclone. We have successfully faced several cyclones together in the past. Our effective disaster management policy will help us mitigate its impact. Please remain alert, prioritise your safety, and cooperate fully with the administration."

Patnaik also called on all elected representatives to support the community, saying, "I urge all elected representatives to stand with the people during this challenging time and provide assistance. I firmly believe that together, we will successfully overcome this cyclone, just as we have in the past."

The districts on alert include Angul, Puri, Nayagarh, Khordha, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Balasore, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Ganjam, and Mayurbhanj. A senior official from the Special Relief Commissioner’s office reported that over 3,000 vulnerable locations have been identified along the coastal belt, and evacuation procedures have begun. Approximately 1,060,336 people are expected to be evacuated before Cyclone Dana makes landfall early Friday.

Cyclone Dana is also anticipated to bring significant rainfall to Odisha, with light to moderate rain expected in most areas and heavy rainfall (7-11 cm) in isolated regions, particularly over Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, and Khordha starting the evening of October 23. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecast for October 24 and 25, with some areas possibly receiving over 21 cm of rainfall in districts including Balasore, Mayurbhanj, and Jajpur.

Umashankar Das, a senior scientist at the Regional Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, stated that Cyclone ‘Dana’ is projected to make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapara district and Dhamra port in Bhadrak district. He noted that during landfall, the cyclone is expected to generate wind speeds of up to 120 km/h, accompanied by a tidal surge of up to 2 metres.

Das cautioned that low-lying areas in Kendrapara, Bhadrak, and Balasore districts are at risk of flooding and advised the government to prioritise the evacuation of residents from these vulnerable regions.

The proposed cyclone names are arranged alphabetically by country, with each nation's suggestions listed alongside. Once the names are finalised, they are assigned to cyclones in the region on a rotational basis, irrespective of which country originally proposed them.

For example, after the list was finalised, the first cyclone to form was named "Nisarga," suggested by Bangladesh, which impacted Maharashtra. The next was "Gati," proposed by India, which struck Somalia, followed by "Nivar," suggested by Iran, which affected Tamil Nadu. This rotational naming system ensures that the process is both organised and unified among the member countries.

When countries submit their proposals for naming cyclones, they must adhere to several guidelines to ensure the names are appropriate. The names should be neutral regarding politics, political figures, religious beliefs, cultural sensitivities, and gender.

Additionally, the names must not hurt the sentiments of any population group globally, should not be rude or cruel, and need to be short, easy to pronounce, and non-offensive to any member of the Panel on Tropical Cyclones (PTC). The names are also restricted to a maximum of eight letters, must be provided with pronunciation and voice-over, and cannot be repeated, either before or after their use.

In April 2020, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) released this updated list of cyclone names. This naming system ensures that the names are culturally relevant, easy to pronounce, and memorable, helping authorities and the public communicate more effectively during cyclone events.

In 2018, the WMO/ESCAP expanded its membership to include five more countries: Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. These nations joined the original group of eight, making a total of 13 member countries. Each country was asked to submit 13 name suggestions for tropical cyclones, resulting in a list of 169 names.

In 2000, a group of nations called WMO/ESCAP (World Meteorological Organisation/United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific), which comprised Bangladesh, India, the Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Thailand, decided to start naming cyclones in the region. After each country sent in suggestions, the WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones (PTC) finalised the list.

As part of the system, each of the 13 member countries submits 13 cyclone name suggestions. These names are then organised into a comprehensive list that is used sequentially when new tropical storms are formed. The practice of naming cyclones ensures clarity in communication and helps avoid confusion during weather updates and warnings, especially when multiple storms are active in the region.

Most cyclones in the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal are named by a group of nations that form part of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) panel. This group originally included Bangladesh, India, the Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, and began naming cyclones in 2000. The system was later expanded in 2018, adding Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen to the list.

Cyclone Dana, like many others, received its name as part of a systematic approach governed by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and its member countries. Each tropical cyclone in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea is named from a pre-designated list created by countries in the region. These names are predetermined and rotate as new cyclones form. For example, "Dana" was suggested by one of the member nations of the WMO's panel, following the standard procedure.

Udayakar Behera, Assistant Register Cooperative Society (ARCS) of Chilika, spoke about the preparedness for Cyclone 'Dana,' stating, "We have notified all the fishermen societies, advising them to avoid going to Chilika Lake during the cyclone. The safety of our fishermen is our top priority, and we are taking all necessary measures to ensure their well-being."

Meanwhile, Balugaon NAC Executive Officer Pran Nath Seth stated, "Following the directives of the Khordha District Magistrate and the House & Urban Development Department, we have implemented all necessary measures to address the challenges posed by Cyclone Dana. We are advising the public to refrain from visiting Chilika during the cyclone. Additionally, we have cleared all drains to prevent waterlogging. We are fully prepared to face the cyclone."

Regarding preparations for Cyclone Dana, District Fisheries Officer (Biology & Technology) Manoranjan Dash stated, "We have communicated the cyclone guidelines issued by the Odisha government to all fishermen. Sagar Mitra and I have been actively engaged in spreading awareness through announcements in the area, advising fishermen to avoid entering Chilika Lake until October 26."

According to the IMD, cyclone Dana is expected to bring very heavy rainfall to several districts in southern Bengal on October 24 and 25. Coastal districts, including South 24 Parganas, Paschim Medinipur, Purba Medinipur, and Jhargram, may experience extremely heavy downpours in some areas. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is also forecasted for Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, North 24 Parganas, Purulia, and Bankura during the same period.

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is on high alert, fully prepared to offer assistance, rescue, and relief efforts. They have stationed helicopters and remote operating stations at Haldia in West Bengal and Paradip in Odisha to issue regular weather warnings and safety advisories for fishermen and mariners.

All boats along the coasts of Odisha and West Bengal have been secured in port.

Cyclone Dana Tracker Live Updates: Dana inches closer to Eastern coasts. Watch here.

Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea from October 23 to 25 due to dangerous conditions. Winds are expected to reach speeds of 60 km/h along the coasts of Odisha and West Bengal starting October 23, with predictions of further intensification to 100-110 km/h, and gusts possibly reaching 120 km/h from the night of October 24 until the morning of October 25.

Odisha’s Konark temple shall remain closed on October 24 and 25 due to the cyclone.

The system is expected to continue its northwestward movement and strengthen into a severe cyclonic storm over the northwest Bay of Bengal by the early morning of October 24. It is projected to make landfall along the coasts of north Odisha and West Bengal, specifically between Puri and Sagar Island, from the night of October 24 to the morning of October 25. Wind speeds are anticipated to reach 100-110 km/h, with gusts up to 120 km/h, as per the IMD.

The Odisha government has mobilised significant resources in anticipation of Cyclone Dana, deploying approximately 20 teams from the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and 10 teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).

Five teams from the 7th Battalion of the NDRF have arrived at Bhubaneswar airport from Bhatinda, Punjab, equipped with essential gear to assist in preparations for the cyclone.

The IMD has stated that the deep depression over the East-central Bay of Bengal is moving west-northwest at a slow pace of 3 km/h. As of 23:30 IST on Tuesday, it was located at latitude 15.7° N and longitude 90.7° E, approximately 670 km southeast of Paradip in Odisha, 720 km south-southeast of Sagar Island in West Bengal, and 700 km south-southeast of Khepupara in Bangladesh.

The system is expected to continue its west-northwestward trajectory and is forecasted to intensify into a cyclonic storm within the next eight hours. By the morning of October 24, further intensification into a severe cyclonic storm is anticipated over the Northwest Bay of Bengal.

Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, Odisha Minister, stated, "Our Chief Minister has convened multiple meetings to address the situation and has issued clear instructions. We will evacuate residents from kutcha houses and relocate them to relief camps, ensuring that every necessary arrangement is in place. Additionally, special provisions have been made for pregnant women."

The Indian Air Force (IAF), today, successfully transported a National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team, comprising 150 personnel along with essential relief materials, to Bhubaneswar. The operation involved the deployment of an IL-76 and an AN-32 aircraft, which were flown in from Punjab's Bathinda and landed in the early morning hours.

Madhusudan Mondal, the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) of Kakdwip in South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, reassured the public about the region's preparedness. He stated, "Kakdwip is a coastal sub-division, and the community is accustomed to dealing with such situations. Following the recent impact of Cyclone Remal, we are ready for Dana with established preparations. We have 64 Multi-Purpose Cyclone Shelters (MPCS) and 12 flood relief centers available. Schools have also been designated for use as shelters if needed. Additionally, we have identified 158 air-dropping locations, with 41 currently operational, along with relief godowns to support affected residents."

Officials have warned that Mayurbhanj and Kendrapara could face significant impacts from the cyclone, which is expected to bring heavy to extremely heavy rainfall and winds of 100 to 110 kmph. In response, the Forest Department announced that Similipal Tiger Reserve and Bhitarkanika National Park will remain closed to visitors from October 23 to October 25. The reopening of these sites will depend on the post-cyclone situation.

The Odisha government has announced the closure of two key ecological hotspots—Similipal Tiger Reserve in Mayurbhanj district and Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapara district—due to the impending severe cyclonic storm. Both districts have been classified as "Red Zone" areas, with the IMD forecasting that the cyclone will cross the east coast between the night of October 24 and the morning of October 25.

Schools in seven Bengal districts, including North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, and Purba Medinipur, will remain closed from October 23 to 26. The West Bengal government has mobilised resources, with National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams deployed across vulnerable areas. Integrated control rooms at both state and district levels will monitor the situation around the clock.

More than 350 trains have been canceled across both states as part of precautionary measures.  This includes major trains like the Howrah-Secunderabad Falaknuma Express, Kamakhya-Yesvantpur AC Express, Howrah-Puri Shatabdi Express, Howrah-Bhubaneswar Shatabdi Express, and Howrah-Yesvantpur Express. These cancellations apply to trains departing between October 23 and 25, according to SER officials.

The SER zone, covering West Bengal, Odisha, and Jharkhand, may cancel more trains depending on how the situation evolves. In addition, Eastern Railway (ER) will operate an emergency control room from October 24 to 25 to manage the situation.

As Odisha and West Bengal brace for Cyclone Dana, the governments have begun large-scale evacuations and closed educational institutions in vulnerable areas. Odisha expects to evacuate over 10 lakh people from 3,000 villages across 14 districts, as half of its population could be affected. The Indian Coast Guard is on high alert with vessels and aircraft mobilized for swift responses.