Bhubaneswar: The weather system, a deep depression that formed in the east-central Bay of Bengal, has intensified into cyclonic storm Dana and continues its slow advance toward the Odisha coast. The meteorological department has said that ‘Dana’ is likely to strike a place between Bhitarkanika and Dhamra, off the Odisha coast, around 12.30 am of May 24.
It is still 670 kilometers from Paradip and is even progressing at a very slow rate of 3 kilometers per hour. It is stated to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm with a wind speed between 100 to 120 Km per hour so when it makes land fall. However, the effect of this cyclone is likely to be relatively short as the system is expected to downgrade into a deep depression after crossing the coast early May 25.
Districts on High Alert
The effects of the storm are expected to be recorded starting from Kendrapara town right up to the Balasore town along the coast line. The affected districts will get torrential rains and stronger-than-average winds, estimated at between 100 to 110 kilometers per hour, with gusts as high as 120 kilometers per hour. With regard to the nine affected districts, they include; Ganjam, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Kendrapara, Keonjhar and Cuttack.
The chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has posted nine cabinet ministers for Cyclone executing functions in these districts. Also, there are six IAS officers of the senior rank who are entitled to special support to six worst-hit districts of the state expected to be most affected by the storm. The Chief Minister has called upon the ministers and officers concerned to cooperate directly with the concerned district officials for quick and proper relief.
Preparedness in Full Swing
Arrangements made by the state government to face this cyclone are fire brigades the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force and National Disaster Response Force teams. The US Coast Guard, Navy and Air Force are also on the alert awaiting any calls for assistance they may be needed on. The state has insisted on hiring an additional 10 NDRF teams from the Central Government to enhance its contingency plans.
Earlier district collectors many senior officials of the government have been posted to key districts to head emergencies. Local MLAs have also not been allowed to leave their constituencies for helping the district administration in coordination with the local people for early mobilization of relief.
Cyclone “Dana” to produce strong winds in heavy rains
Numerous coastal/interior districts of Odisha are going to be affected by cyclone with projection of wind/rain in Ganjam, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Keonjhar, Bhadrak, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Angul, Khurda, Nayagarh, Cuttack, Kendrapara. What the cyclone brings is the shock of its arrival and passing through by landfall and also comprises high winds and heavy rain which causes enough interruption.
However, as the state government ensures the storm situation is under check citizens are advised to keep on being vigilant and follow any measures imposed by the authorities to reduce the impact of the approaching storm.