Cyclone ‘Dana’ sparks fear: Tourists and pilgrims warned amid continuous rain

Cyclone “Dana” has stirred concern across West Bengal and Odisha, as the storm edges closer to making landfall between Puri and Sagar Island. Authorities are on high alert, with Odisha's Minister Suresh Pujari urging tourists and pilgrims to avoid visiting Puri from October 23 to 25 due to the looming danger.

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The cyclone is expected to bring heavy rainfall to several districts, including Mayurbhanj, Cuttack, Jajpur, Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, and Jagatsinghpur, prompting fears of potential flash floods. In response, local governments have declared holidays for schools and colleges as a precautionary measure.

The storm is predicted to subside briefly on Wednesday but is expected to intensify again on Thursday and Friday, with wind speeds reaching up to 120 kilometers per hour. According to the Meteorological Department, the cyclone will make landfall in the region between Puri and Sagar Island during this period.

The effects of Cyclone Dana are likely to be felt in the coastal districts of Ganjam, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, and beyond, with heavy rains expected in West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Mizoram, and Meghalaya. The southern state of Karnataka, already grappling with continuous rainfall, is also on high alert as Cyclone Dana adds to the region's woes.