Cyclone 'Dana', which is located in the west-central Bay of Bengal and adjacent areas, is increasing its strength and is moving towards the coast.
The cyclone may hit the coast between Thursday (October 24) night and Friday morning. The Indian Meteorological Department has warned that the tidal surge may be strong on the coast of West Bengal when the cyclone hits the land. The maximum wave height may be more than 14 feet!
'Dana' is moving towards the coast at a speed of 12 kilometers per hour. The direction is mainly northwest. Meteorologists have said that 'Dana' may hit the Dhamara from the inner core of Odisha. The height of the waves on the coast will be the highest from late Thursday night to early Friday morning.
As per the forecast, the waves on the coast of West Bengal may rise from 9.84 feet to 14.43 feet between 2:30 am on Thursday and 5:30 am on Friday. It has been advised to keep the coast clear during this period.
According to the latest bulletin issued from Alipore, 'Dana' is 120 km southeast of Paradip in Odisha, 210 km south-southeast of Dhamara and 270 km south of Sagardip in West Bengal.
An official of the Alipore Meteorological Department said that even if 'landfall' is not made in West Bengal, the most damage is expected in East Midnapore district. The speed of the storm there may be more than 100 km from Thursday night. The maximum speed of the storm can be 120 km in East Midnapore. Apart from this, some parts of South 24 Parganas including the Sundarbans will witness the havoc of 'Dana'. The speed of the storm can be 90 to 100 km. In Kolkata, the maximum speed of the storm can be 80 km. An alert has also been issued for Haldia and Kolkata ports.
Due to the influence of 'Dana', rains in West Bengal will continue till Friday. Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly and North 24 Parganas are likely to receive heavy to very heavy rains till Friday. The same possibility is there in Jhargram. However, there is a possibility of heavy rainfall in Purulia, Bankura, East Burdwan, West Burdwan, Murshidabad and Nadia till Friday. A red alert of very heavy rainfall has been issued in East Midnapore, South 24 Parganas and West Midnapore on Thursday and Friday. The alert is in effect in Jhargram on Friday. Heavy rain will continue in Midnapore and Jhargram on Saturday as well.