Cyclone Dana Looms Over Odisha: Evacuations Underway

Cyclone Dana's outer bands have begun impacting Odisha's Kendrapara and Bhadrak districts. The Indian Meteorological Department forecasts landfall on Friday, prompting swift evacuations. Coastal districts brace for tidal surges and extreme weather conditions. Emergency protocols are in place, warning residents of heavy rainfall and high winds.

The coastal districts of Kendrapara and Bhadrak in Odisha experienced rain and adverse weather conditions on Wednesday afternoon, as Cyclone 'Dana' began to make its presence felt. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the outer bands of the cyclone have started affecting the eastern coastline.

Sharing updates on the social media platform X, Senior IMD scientist Umashankar Das noted that radar data from Paradip confirms the cyclone's reach over the land masses of Bhadrak and Kendrapara districts. Although the cyclone remains about 500 km offshore, the outer bands, consisting of clouds, are influencing local weather patterns.

The IMD anticipates Cyclone 'Dana' making landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra port early Friday. In anticipation, Odisha's government has accelerated evacuation processes in Kendrapada, Bhadrak, Balasore, Puri, and Jagatsinghpur. Forecasts warn of a tidal surge and heavy rain, with wind speeds reaching 120 kmph during landfall. Residents have been urged to use emergency contact numbers for assistance.

(With inputs from agencies.)