A deep depression in the east-central Bay of Bengal has intensified into Cyclone 'Dana', the India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced on Wednesday morning. The cyclone is expected to move northwest, gaining strength to become a severe cyclonic storm over the northwest Bay of Bengal. It is forecast to make landfall between Puri in Odisha and Sagar Island in West Bengal in the early hours of October 25, with wind speeds reaching up to 120 kmph.
As of 5:30 AM, the storm was located 560 km southeast of Paradip and 630 km south-southeast of Sagar Island. The IMD has warned fishermen against venturing into the sea between October 23 and 25, as wind speeds along the Odisha-West Bengal coast are expected to escalate from 60 kmph to 100-110 kmph, with gusts up to 120 kmph, during the night of October 24 through the morning of October 25.
In preparation for the cyclone, more than 150 express and passenger trains passing through the South Eastern Railway (SER) zone have been canceled, with additional cancellations possible if conditions worsen. The SER zone covers parts of West Bengal, Odisha, and Jharkhand.
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is on high alert, having deployed vessels and aircraft strategically to respond to any emergencies. Meanwhile, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has stationed 13 teams across southern Bengal to address potential crises.
The cyclone is expected to bring heavy to extremely heavy rainfall to several southern Bengal districts, including South 24 Parganas, Paschim Medinipur, Purba Medinipur, and Jhargram on October 24 and 25. Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, North 24 Parganas, Purulia, and Bankura are also expected to experience heavy rainfall during this period.
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