Bhubaneswar: Cyclone Dana, a severe cyclonic storm, made landfall on Odisha’s coast late Thursday night, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The storm hit between Bhitarkanika in Kendrapara and Dhamra in Bhadrak, bringing winds of up to 110 kmph. The landfall process is expected to continue until Friday morning. Coastal districts such as Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Balasore, and Jagatsinghpur have already experienced significant rainfall and winds ranging from 100 to 110 kmph.
The IMD warned that wind speeds could reach up to 120 kmph as the cyclone moves further inland. The Special Relief Commissioner’s office reported instances of uprooted trees but no major damages or casualties have been reported yet. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi stated that both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have been briefed about the state’s cyclone preparedness.
More than 5.8 lakh people were evacuated from high-risk coastal areas in anticipation of the storm. IMD Director General Mrutunjay Mohapatra warned that tidal surges could rise up to two meters in Kendrapara, Balasore, and Bhadrak, posing additional risks. Heavy rainfall is expected to continue across northern Odisha, with the IMD forecasting particularly severe rain in Balasore, Mayurbhanj, and Bhadrak.
The cyclone is predicted to weaken by Friday as it progresses inland, but gusts of 100-110 kmph are expected to persist along the northern coast before subsiding. Southern coastal regions may experience winds of 60-80 kmph.
