Cyclone Dana is weaker than cyclone Amphan, says IMD DG Mrutyunjay Mohapatra

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has been very pin-pointed in its forecast as far as predicting the cyclones is concerned. This time also, the people in Odisha are extensively relying on IMD’s forecast as they are bracing up to face another severe cyclonic storm that has been named Dana.

As per IMD, it is very likely to move northwestwards and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over northwest Bay of Bengal by early morning of October 24 and cross north Odisha and West Bengal coasts between Puri and Sagar Island close to Bhitarkanika and Dhamara (Odisha) during night of 24th to the morning of 25th October 2024 as a severe cyclonic Storm with a wind speed of 100-110 kmph gusting 120 kmph.

IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra on Wednesday informed that when it will cross the coast, its intensify will be that of severe cyclonic storm with wind speed 100 to 120 kmph. The cloud mass is moving towards Odisha and West Bengal coasts and rain has already started in Odisha coast, he said.

Cyclone Dana: Emergency Helpline Numbers For Odisha

The IMD has issued a forecast of light to moderate rainfall in Odisha and West Bengal coast. All coastal districts in Odisha including Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Balasore, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj, Bhubaneswar city and others will experience rainfall and some places are likely to experience heavy rainfall under its impact. Rainfall activities will increase subsequently in interior parts of Odisha as well.

From today evening, 40 to 55 kmph wind will prevail along Odisha coast and it will gradually peak by tomorrow. Highest wind speed will be experienced in Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore and West Medinipur districts. 

According to the IMD DG, the maximum impact of the cyclone will be experienced in Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore districts of Odisha and East Medinipur in West Bengal.

Also Read: Cyclone Dana landfall near Odisha's Bhitarkanika is a blessing in disguise! Here’s what experts say

Several secondary category districts where impact is also possible are West Medinipur, Jhargram as heavy rainfall is likely. In Odisha,  heavy rainfall is also likely to lash Mayurbhanj, Jajpur, Cuttack, and Bhubaneswar accompanied with gusty winds.

When asked about the intensity of cyclone Dana in comparison with other cyclones, IMD DG informed that cyclone Amphan was an extremely severe cyclonic storm and recorded wind speed of 160 per hour, and cyclone Dana is weaker than this.

Also Read: Cyclone Dana: Storm surge likely to be 1 to 2m height above astronomical tide, predicts IMD

Similarly, Cyclone Yaas (2021) that had moved through Dharma, Bhadrak, and Balasore in Odisha, had a speed of 100 kmph.

“The intensity of cyclone Dana is gradually increasing and it is moving northwest wards as per our forecast. After landfall it will move through Odisha and will become gradually weak,” said IMD DG.