Cyclone Dana Odisha West Bengal: A cyclonic circulation over the North Andaman Sea intensified into a low-pressure area Monday, with the potential to develop into a cyclonic storm by October 23, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

In a special bulletin, the IMD said the system formed over the east-central Bay of Bengal and adjoining North Andaman Sea. It is expected to move west-northwestwards, intensifying into a depression by October 22 and into a cyclonic storm the following day. The storm is forecast to reach the Odisha-West Bengal coasts by the morning of October 24.

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The storm is expected to bring heavy rainfall and gusty winds to both states. Winds along the coasts are predicted to increase to 60 km/h on October 23, peaking at 120 km/h between October 24 night and October 25 morning, officials said. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea from October 23 to 26, as conditions are likely to be rough.

Odisha is preparing for the storm’s potential impact. The state government has placed district collectors on alert, with coastal regions on high alert. The Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and fire service personnel are on standby. Pregnant women in at-risk areas will be moved to hospitals, and officials are working toward the goal of “Zero Casualty.”

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In West Bengal, heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in Purba Medinipur, Paschim Medinipur, South 24 Parganas, and North 24 Parganas from October 23-24. Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, and Jhargram are also expected to receive heavy rain during this period.

The IMD has issued a red warning for Puri, Khurda, Ganjam, and Jagatsinghpur districts in Odisha for October 24, predicting isolated extremely heavy rainfall. An orange warning has been issued for Kendrapada, Cuttack, and other districts, with heavy rainfall expected across many areas.