Cyclone Dana is approaching the coasts of Odisha and West Bengal, with landfall expected between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port in Odisha on the morning of October 25, 2024. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of heavy rainfall and wind speeds reaching 120 km/h, prompting extensive evacuations of nearly 1 million people from vulnerable coastal regions..
Flight operations at Kolkata and Bhubaneswar airports have been suspended until Friday morning. Schools in coastal areas have been closed, and several train services have been canceled in anticipation of the cyclone. Relief shelters are being prepared with essential supplies like food, water, and medical facilities.
Authorities in Odisha and West Bengal, along with the Coast Guard and disaster response forces, are on high alert to manage the situation. The IMD predicts heavy to very heavy rainfall across several districts, including Puri, Balasore, and South 24 Parganas, with some areas expected to receive over 30 cm of rain.
A Severe Cyclonic Storm, (DANA) very likely to affect South Bengal districts during 24-25OCT’2024. Affected districts- Purba Medinipur, South 24 Parganas, Pashchim Medinipur, Jhargram, Bankura, Howrah, Hooghly, Kolkata, North 24 Paraganas. Heavy Rain.
What is Cyclone:
A cyclone is a large-scale air mass that rotates around a strong center of low atmospheric pressure. It forms over warm ocean waters, typically in tropical or subtropical regions, and is associated with intense winds, heavy rain, and thunderstorms. The terms hurricane, typhoon, and cyclone are used interchangeably based on the region:
- Hurricanes occur in the Atlantic and Northeast Pacific.
- Typhoons occur in the Northwest Pacific.
- Cyclones occur in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean.
Formation of a Cyclone:
- Warm Ocean Waters: The sea surface must be at least 26.5°C to provide energy for the storm.
- Low-Pressure System: Warm air rises, creating a low-pressure center.
- Coriolis Effect: Earth’s rotation causes the air to spin, leading to the cyclone’s characteristic spiral.
Structure of a Cyclone:
- Eye: A calm, low-pressure center.
- Eye Wall: Surrounding the eye, it contains the most intense winds and rain.
- Rain Bands: Outer spirals of clouds producing heavy showers and thunderstorms.
Categories:
Cyclones are classified by wind speed:
- Tropical Depression: Winds <62 km/h.
- Tropical Storm: Winds between 63-117 km/h.
- Severe Cyclonic Storm/Hurricane/Typhoon: Winds ≥118 km/h, with additional categories for the strongest systems.
Cyclones can cause severe damage through storm surges, heavy rainfall leading to floods, and destructive winds. Preparations such as evacuations and securing buildings are crucial to minimize impacts when cyclones approach land.
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