Bay of Bengal: Deep Depression Dana forms and tracking northwestward towards Odisha State, India, Oct. 23

Deep Depression Dana has formed in the Bay of Bengal and is tracking northwestward towards Odisha State, India, Oct. 23. As of 14:30 IST, the storm's center of circulation was approximately 674 km (419 miles) south of Kolkata, India.

Forecast models indicate that the system will strengthen into a cyclonic storm and then a severe cyclonic storm as it tracks north-northwestward over the Bay of Bengal Oct. 23-24. Dana is forecast to weaken back into a cyclonic storm and make a turn to track west-northwestward Oct. 25, before making landfall over the northeastern coast of Odisha State during the afternoon Oct. 25. After landfall, the system is expected to weaken as it moves inland over northeastern Odisha late Oct. 25-early Oct. 26, before weakening further into a depression as it turns to track southwestward into central Odisha Oct. 26-27. The storm's track and intensity forecast remains somewhat uncertain, and significant changes may occur over the coming hours and days.

As of Oct. 23, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a press release warning the storm system will bring extremely heavy rainfall to Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal states Oct. 24-25, as well as strong winds in coastal areas. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the northern and central Bay of Bengal Oct. 23-25. The IMD has issued red extremely heavy rainfall warnings (the highest level on a three-tier scale) for Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal states Oct. 24-25. Orange heavy rainfall warnings are in place for Jharkhand Oct. 25 and Odisha Oct. 26 and yellow heavy rainfall warnings have been issued for Odisha, Gangetic parts of West Bengal, and coastal Andhra Pradesh Oct. 23, coastal Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand Oct. 24, coastal Andhra Pradesh Oct. 25, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Gangetic West Bengal Oct. 26. and coastal Andhra Pradesh Oct. 27. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has advised all maritime ports to hoist local cautionary signal No. 3 (out of ten). Officials will likely issue new alerts or update/rescind existing advisories as the storm progresses.

Authorities in Odisha State have established around 5,000 relief centers and the government plans to evacuate around 1 million people from 3,000 at-risk villages across 14 districts before the storm arrives. East Coast Railways has canceled around 200 trains passing through and originating from Odisha over the coming days. Aviation officials have warned of possible disruptions to flights at airports across the region, including Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU) in Kolkata, if crosswinds reach above 70 kph (43 mph). Schools have been closed across 14 districts in Odisha Oct. 23-25 and across seven districts in West Bengal Oct. 23-26.

Sustained heavy rainfall could trigger flooding in low-lying areas and those with easily overwhelmed drainage systems. Flash flooding, landslides, and additional evacuations are possible if weather conditions prove hazardous.

The inclement weather could trigger localized business, transport, and utility disruptions, rendering some bridges or roadways impassable. Stagnant pools of water during and after flooding may increase the incidence of insect- and waterborne diseases, such as dengue fever, cholera, and malaria. Any raw sewage and other hazardous materials mixed with floodwaters would pose a serious health threat.