Odisha’s coastal regions experienced a rapid surge in wind velocity, reaching speeds between 100 kmph and 110 kmph, coupled with intense rainfall.
Amid the severe cyclonic storm ‘Dana’ making landfall in Odisha on Friday, flight operations have been suspended at the Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar.
The Director of the Airport, Prasanna Pradhan, has stated that flight operations at Biju Patnaik International Airport will recommence at 8:00 am rather than 9:00 am.
Following the temporary halt of flight operations at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in West Bengal from 6:00 pm on Thursday, October 24, to 9:00 am on Friday, October 25, the airport resumed normal activities.
The coastal regions of Odisha, including Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Balasore, and the nearby Jagatsinghpur district, experienced a rapid escalation in wind velocity, peaking at 100-110 kmph along with intense rainfall.
An official from the revenue department mentioned that reports of trees being uprooted were also received at the office of the Special Relief Commissioner. Despite the landfall process commencing over an hour ago, there have been no reports of significant damage or casualties up to this point.
According to the meteorological department, 16 districts in Odisha are expected to experience flash floods as a result of intense rainfall caused by a cyclone. The IMD’s most recent prediction suggests that areas with watersheds in the state may face low to moderate flash floods within the next 24 hours.
Flash floods may be expected in the following districts: Angul, Balasore, Boudh, Bhadrak, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Gajapati, Ganjam, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur, Kandhamal, Keonjhar, Khurda, Mayurbhanj, Nayagarh, and Puri.
The IMD scientist predicts that the severe cyclonic storm will persist but will gradually lose intensity on Friday as it moves further into the state, leading to widespread heavy rainfall.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has reported that strong gales with wind speeds of 100-110 kmph, reaching up to 120 kmph, are currently occurring along the northern coast of Odisha. This weather pattern is expected to persist until Friday morning, gradually easing thereafter. Similarly, gusty winds with speeds ranging from 60-80 kmph, reaching up to 90 kmph, are anticipated along the southern coast of Odisha until Friday morning, with a gradual decrease in intensity thereafter.
According to the meteorological department, there is a forecast for light to moderate rainfall in many areas, heavy to very heavy rainfall in a few locations, and extremely heavy rainfall (exceeding 21 cm) in isolated spots across districts including Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak, Kendrapada, Jagatsingpur, Keonjhar, Jajpur, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Khurda, and Puri until October 25th.
