Cyclone ‘Dana’ has intensified further, turning into a severe cyclone by midnight on Wednesday. Over the last nine hours, it has advanced an additional 100 kilometers towards the Indian coastline. According to satellite imagery analysis by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the cyclone is now located approximately 355 kilometers south-southeast of Sagar Island and 265 kilometers southeast of Odisha’s Paradip.
The Alipore Meteorological Department has reported that Cyclone Dana is moving in a northwesterly direction from the east-central Bay of Bengal. Based on its current trajectory, meteorologists predict that the cyclone may make landfall between Thursday night and Friday morning. The likely landfall location is expected between Odisha’s Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamara Port. Upon landfall, the wind speed is projected to range from 100 to 110 kilometers per hour, with gusts potentially reaching up to 120 kilometers per hour.
Since Wednesday night, several districts along the Odisha coast and northern regions have already begun to experience the impact of the cyclone. The sea has become turbulent, and heavy rainfall has been reported in Kendrapara, Bhadrak, and Balasore districts. The IMD forecast further indicates that the cyclone will make landfall in the area between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamara Port, prompting authorities to suspend all port activities. Workers have been evacuated from the port to ensure safety.
In preparation for potential disasters, the Odisha administration has deployed 182 rescue teams to the affected areas. Odisha Chief Minister Mohancharan Majhi reviewed the state’s preparedness for the cyclone on Wednesday, ensuring that all necessary precautions have been taken to manage the upcoming disaster.
Former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has urged the people of Odisha to stay calm and not panic, emphasizing the importance of taking all safety precautions. Over 1 million people from the coastal regions of the state have already been evacuated to relief shelters and flood centers as a precautionary measure. Authorities are maintaining round-the-clock vigilance, ready to respond to any emergency.
As the cyclone approaches, residents in the coastal and northern parts of Odisha have been advised to stay indoors and follow safety guidelines issued by the government. The state has activated several emergency helplines to provide assistance during the cyclone.