Bhubaneswar: Ports on Odisha coasts have been put on high alert ahead of a cyclonic storm Dana which is expected to make landfall between Puri and Sagar Island during the night of October 24 and early morning of October 25.
Briefing the mediapersons about the status of the cyclone, Manorama Mohanty, director of the India Meteorological Department said, “The well-marked low-pressure area has intensified into a depression which will intensify into a severe cyclone. The depression is located 730 km southeast of Paradip, 779 km south-southeast of West Bengal’s Digha, and 740 km south-southeast of Bangladesh’s Khepupara coast.”
She further said, “The system is expected to make landfall between Puri and Sagar Island on October 24-25 prompting authorities to issue a no. 1 alert to all ports. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea from today till October 25.”
It may be mentioned that the very severe cyclonic storm would impact Indian states including Odisha and West Bengal, where key ports are located. Some regions are likely to receive heavy rainfall and wind speeds could reach 110 miles per hour. Thus, the Gopalpur, Paradip and Dhamra Ports authorities have been asked to hoist signal DC-I. Before the onset of the cyclone, all port vessels will be taken inside the dock for shelter. These preparatory measures have been taken to avoid the loss of human lives, vessels and property.
