Cyclone Dana LIVE Updates: 'Heavy rain, highest wind speed likely tonight,' says IMD Director Manorama Mohanty

The severe cyclonic storm “DANA” (pronounced as Dana) over central & adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal moved north-northwestwards with a speed of 12 kmph during past 6 hours, and lay centred at 0530 hrs IST of today, the 24th October, over northwest & adjoining central Bay of Bengal, near latitude 18.5° N and longitude 88.2°E, about 260 km southeast of Paradip (Odisha), 290 km south-southeast of Dhamara (Odisha) and 350 km south of Sagar Island (West Bengal).

It is very likely to move northwestwards and cross north Odisha and West Bengal coasts between Puri and Sagar Island close to Bhitarkanika and Dhamara (Odisha) during mid-night of 24th to morning of 25th October, 2024 as a severe Cyclonic Storm with a wind speed of 100-110 kmph gusting 120 kmph.

Odisha Deputy CM Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo said that the government is fully prepared to deal with the cyclone. Every department, including CM, are monitoring the situation on the ground, said Singh.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning that a severe cyclonic storm is expected to cross the northern Odisha and West Bengal coasts between Puri and Sagar Island, near Bhitarkanika and Dhamara in Odisha. The cyclone is likely to make landfall between midnight on October 24 and the morning of October 25, 2024.

IMD predicts wind speeds ranging from 100-110 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 120 kmph, during the storm’s impact. Coastal areas are advised to prepare for possible disruptions and take necessary precautions.

IMD Director Manorama Mohanty said, "The cyclone Dana has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm in last midnight and it is moving north-westward with a speed 12km/hr during the last 6 hours and now it is lying over central and adjoining north-west Bay of Bengal."

Cyclone "Dana" may make landfall tonight. The effect of cyclones is being witnessed in the coastal areas of Bengal and Odisha. Strong winds and rains have started in Digha of East Medinipur district since last night. The wind speed can reach 120 kmph when the storm hits West Bengal and Odisha tonight. All arrangements have been made by the West Bengal government to deal with this cyclone. The beach has been barricaded to prevent any tourists from reaching the beach. All shops are closed. Tourists have been ordered to leave the hotel by the administration.

Bhadrak assistant fisheries officer Sandeep Kumar Behera said that In his jurisdiction there are 911 registered boats, 10 FLC and all the boats have been docked in the landing centre.

"In view of the impending landfall of Cyclone DANA, the Governor has cancelled all his programmes and shall be monitoring the activities of Cyclone Dana from the Control Room in Raj Bhavan," said Raj Bhavan.

Heavy rainfall and gusty winds hit Bhitarkanika in Kendrapara district ahead of Cyclone Dana landfall.

Bhadrak Collector Dilip Routrai said, "We are evacuating the people from vulnerable areas. Some people are coming on their own, while some are being brought by police as they don't want to leave their homes. 3 NDRF teams are deployed, 1 is stationed at the headquarters 2 are in the field. We have 2 ODRF teams and 4 Fire Department teams are at work..."

People are being brought to cyclone shelter in Odisha's Bhadrak ahead of Cyclone Dana's landfall.

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.

Flight operations at the Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar will remain suspended for 16 hours from Thursday evening in view of cyclone Dana, a statement said. 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 IMD. 

"Airport operation will be suspended from 5 pm on October 24 to 9 am on October 25 due to cyclone Dana," the statement said.

Strong sea surfs witnessed at Odisha's coast ahead of landfall of Cyclone Dana 

Cyclone Dana is 280 Km away from Paradeep and 310 km away from Dhamra. It is moving at 15kmph.It will make landfall between Dhamra and Bhintarkanika. High tides during the landfall will be 2 metre higher than normal.

Bhadrak’s Dhamra region in Odisha is experiencing strong winds and heavy rainfall as Cyclone Dana nears landfall. The cyclone is expected to make landfall between October 24 and 25, affecting the Odisha-West Bengal coast.

The Odisha High Court has announced a two-day closure on October 24 and 25 in anticipation of the severe Cyclone ‘Dana.’ This decision was made as the cyclone approaches Odisha’s coast, with expected landfall between Bhitarkanika and Dhamra on the night of October 24 or early October 25, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Cyclonic storm 'Dana', formed over east-central Bay of Bengal on Wednesday, is set to bring heavy rainfall in several southern West Bengal districts, including Kolkata, the IMD said. Eastern and South Eastern railways cancelled a large number of 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 kmph, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

The flight operations at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata will be suspended for 15 hours starting at 6:00 PM on Thursday as a precautionary measure ahead of Cyclone Dana. According to airport authorities, flight operations will be halted from 6:00 PM on October 25 until 9:00 AM on October 26.

Governor, Raj Bhavan has opened a 24x7 control room which can be contacted at:

• Phone: 033-22001641
• email: emergency.danarajbhavan@gmail.com

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said more than 30 per cent of the targeted 10 lakh people have been evacuated to safe places by Wednesday evening in view of cyclone Dana that barrels toward the state's coastal region, threatening to impact nearly half of its population.

He reviewed the government’s preparedness for the cyclone which is likely to cross the Odisha coast, close to Bhitarkanika and Dhamra, early on Friday. “Three districts are likely to be severely affected. Steps are being taken to evacuate people from danger zones...So far, 30 per cent of the targeted 10 lakh people have been evacuated...the remaining will be taken to safety by 11 am on Thursday," the chief minister said.

In view of the impending landfall of Cyclone Dana and its effects predicted from the midnight of October 23 to the morning of October 26, the West Bengal Raj Bhavan has set up a task force and control room to assist the public in this hour of need.

Governor CV Anand Bose called an emergency meeting of experts and the core team in the afternoon on Wednesday in the Raj Bhavan, Kolkata. The Governor wished the people safety and security. The governor expresses confidence that the resilient people of Bengal will face the crisis with resilience and fortitude.

Cyclone Dana is very likely to move northwestwards and cross north Odisha and West Bengal coasts between Puri and Sagar Island close to Bhitarkanika and Dhamara (Odisha) from mid-night of 24th to the morning of 25th October 2024

Stressing on the preparations for Cyclone 'Dana', Odisha Fire Services Director General, Sudhanshu Sarangi said that they have 182 teams which is nearly about 2000 people and they are fully geared up to deal with the cyclone. The IMD has indicated that Cyclone Dana is likely to move north-westwards and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over the northwest Bay of Bengal by the early hours of October 24.

Cyclone Dana is to make landfall on October 25, said Devendra Thakkar, CEO, Dhamra Port. He added that work has been stopped and workers have been evacuated.