Bhubaneswar, Oct. 24: As Cyclone Dana approaches, Odisha's three major ports—Paradip, Dhamra, and Gopalpur—have raised Signal 10, the highest alert for impending danger. The cyclone, packing winds of up to 120 kilometers per hour (kmph), is expected to make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port by early Friday, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Coastal districts are already feeling the impact, with heavy rains and gusting winds beginning Thursday morning. Cloudy skies and intermittent downpours have heightened the concerns of local residents. Paradip recorded 51 mm of rain on Wednesday night, while Chandbali experienced 39 mm.

Manorama Mohanty, Director of the Regional Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, confirmed, "Great Danger Signal 10 has been issued at Paradip, Dhamra, and Gopalpur ports, while Signal 8 is currently active at Gopalpur." Signal 10 signifies the imminent arrival of severe weather, with winds exceeding 89 kmph, while Signal 8 warns of winds between 63-87 kmph. As a precaution, port operations at Paradip and Dhamra have been halted.

The IMD has also predicted high tides ranging from 0.5 to 2 meters along the coastline during the cyclone's landfall. Dhamra, expected to be the worst affected, lies directly in the cyclone's path. Odisha’s Higher Education Minister, Suryabanshi Suraj, after reviewing the port's readiness, said, “The eye of Cyclone Dana will pass through Dhamra, putting the entire area in the danger zone. Evacuations are already underway, and port authorities are working to minimize the cyclone’s impact.” He also added that he would stay in Dhamra overnight to supervise the preparations personally.

In a special bulletin on Thursday morning, the IMD confirmed that Cyclone Dana had intensified into a severe cyclonic storm over the central and northwest Bay of Bengal, moving at a speed of 15 kmph. By 2:30 PM, it was located 280 km southeast of Paradip, 310 km south-southeast of Dhamra, and 370 km south-southeast of Sagar Island in West Bengal. The cyclone is forecasted to move northwest, with landfall expected between Puri and Sagar Island, near Bhitarkanika and Dhamra, late Thursday night or early Friday morning. Wind speeds during landfall are predicted to range from 100-110 kmph, with gusts reaching 120 kmph.

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