Bhubaneswar: Cyclone Dana is expected to hit Odisha coast on October 24. India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy rainfall in Odisha in the coming week due to the cyclonic storm. Cyclone Dana is likely to make landfall between Puri and Sagar Islands. A red alert has been issued Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur and Cuttack districts of the state on October 24.
The low-pressure area developed over the east-central Bay of Bengal and adjoining the north Andaman Sea is likely to intensify into a depression by October 22 morning and and into a cyclonic storm by October 23. In the wake of the heavy rainfall, the Odisha government urged tourists not to visit holy town Puri until the cyclone makes landfall.
Here Are Latest Updates About The Cyclone:
- Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida said the district collectors have been empowered to declare holidays of schools, anganwadi centres and colleges in the prone districts till normalcy is restored.
- A red alert has been issued predicting very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall above 20cm to occur at isolated places in the districts of Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur, Cuttack on October 24, reported IANS.
- Meanwhile, a red alert has also been issued about very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in north Odisha districts such as Keonjhar, Bhadrak, Balasore, and Mayurbhanj for October 25.
- The IMD has issued an Orange warning predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall in districts including Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Angul, Deogarh, Sundargarh.
- The weather agency also warned of flash floods, water logging in low-lying areas of the sttae, inundation of agriculture fields. The weather agency also warned authorities of mud and landslides in hilly areas of the state.
- Odisha Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari said that the state government has made preparations in the wake of the cyclone.
- "The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have reportedly kept on high alert.
- "Light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy rainfall at isolated places very likely over Odisha on 23rd & 26th; heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places with extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places on 24th & 25th October," the IMD said.
- Meanwhile, light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy rainfall at isolated places is also very likely over Gangetic West Bengal on October 23 and heavy to very heavy rainfall on October 24 and 25.
- An advisory has been issued for fishermen asking them not to venture out into the sea.
(With inputs from agencies)