Ahead of the landfall of the severe cyclonic storm Dana, Odisha and West Bengal have been put on high alert. In Odisha, schools have been closed in 14 districts and state civil services prelims exam 2024 has been postponed.

Divisional Forest Officer in Odisha prepares for cyclone 'DANA' by deploying teams to manage wildlife threats during storm.

West Bengal has deployed 14 NDRF teams in anticipation of Cyclone Dana. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is also on high alert, with ships and aircraft on standby for emergency response. Helicopters and remote operating stations at Haldia and Paradip are broadcasting weather warnings to fishermen and mariners.

The India Meteorological Department on Wednesday predicted that the impending cyclonic storm Dana is expected to hit the Odisha coast between Bhitarkanika of Kendrapara district and Dhamara area of Bhadrak district on October 24 and 25.

The IMD predicted on Wednesday that the storm will bring heavy rainfall to several Odisha and West Bengal districts in the next three days.

Cyclone Dana is rapidly approaching the coasts of Odisha and West Bengal, with severe weather expected. Authorities are on high alert, implementing precautionary measures to ensure the safety of residents as heavy rains and winds are forecasted.

The Odisha Government has planned to move over a million people from 3,000 villages in 14 districts to relief camps. The cyclone is likely to affect half of the state’s population

Cyclone Dana is likely to make landfall with a wind speed of 100-120 km per hour between Thursday night and Friday morning, causing extremely heavy rain in seven coastal districts.