In India, several districts in West Bengal have experienced moderate to heavy rainfall as Dana moves closer to the Odisha coast.
Bangladesh has issued an alert as severe cyclonic storm Dana approaches its coastal regions. The cyclone, now classified as a super cyclone over the Bay of Bengal, is expected to bring severe weather conditions to Bangladesh and parts of eastern India. According to a special bulletin from Bangladesh, the cyclone is currently positioned around 595 km southwest of Chittagong port and about 242 km southeast of the capital, Dhaka.
As Dana advances, it is forecasted to first cross the Odisha coast in India before moving towards West Bengal and eventually reaching Bangladesh’s southern Khulna region. Coastal areas in both countries are already experiencing stormy conditions, with strong winds and high waves affecting fishing activities. Authorities in Bangladesh have urged all fishing boats and trawlers in the northern Bay of Bengal to remain close to the shore and avoid deep-sea ventures until further notice.
West Bengal and Odisha Prepare for Cyclone Landfall
In India, several districts in West Bengal have experienced moderate to heavy rainfall as Dana moves closer to the Odisha coast. The cyclone is expected to make landfall near Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra port in Odisha by early Friday, bringing winds that could reach speeds of 120 kilometers per hour. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has advised fishermen to stay ashore as winds between 90 and 100 kmph lash the northwest Bay of Bengal.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall, with potential for isolated extreme downpours, is forecasted for southern districts of West Bengal, including North and South 24 Parganas, East and West Medinipur, Kolkata, Howrah, and Hooghly..
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Flight Disruptions and Jharkhand Rainfall Alerts
In Kolkata, flights have been suspended for 15 hours from Thursday evening due to the cyclone. The IMD predicts that the cyclone will cross the Odisha coastline on Friday morning with sustained winds of 120 kmph, causing potential disruptions to transportation and infrastructure.
Jharkhand is also expected to see heavy rainfall as a result of Cyclone Dana. An orange alert has been issued for Friday, particularly for the Kolhan region, which includes the districts of West Singhbhum, Saraikela-Kharsawan, and East Singhbhum. These areas are expected to experience rainfall between 115 mm and 204 mm, accompanied by thunderstorms and winds reaching up to 60 kmph.
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Delhi’s Air Quality Remains Poor Amidst Storm Concerns
While eastern India faces the brunt of Cyclone Dana, pollution levels in the national capital, Delhi, continue to remain high. Air quality in several parts of the city remains in the “very poor” category, although clear skies are expected in the coming days. Delhi typically faces severe pollution during the winter months due to a combination of factors such as low wind speeds, high humidity, and particulate matter in the air.
