Bay of Bengal: Severe Cyclonic Storm Dana tracking west-northwestward towards Odisha State, India, Oct. 24 /update 1

Severe Cyclonic Storm Dana is tracking west-northwestward in the Bay of Bengal towards Odisha State, India, Oct. 24. As of 14:30 IST, the storm's center of circulation was approximately 396 km (246 miles) south of Kolkata, India.

Forecast models indicate that the system will strengthen slightly as it tracks northwestward and makes landfall over Odisha State north of Puri early Oct. 25. After landfall, the system is expected to weaken into a cyclonic storm as it tracks northwestward then westward over eastern Odisha Oct. 25, before weakening further into a depression and then dissipating as it turns to track southwestward into central Odisha early Oct. 26. The storm's track and intensity forecast remains somewhat uncertain, and changes may occur over the coming hours and days.

As of Oct. 24, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a press release warning the storm system will bring extremely heavy rainfall to Odisha and Gangetic parts of 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. 24-25. The IMD has issued red extremely heavy rainfall warnings (the highest level on a three-tier scale) for Odisha and Gangetic parts of West Bengal states Oct. 24-25. Orange heavy rainfall warnings are in place for Jharkhand Oct. 25 and yellow heavy rainfall warnings have been issued for Jharkhand Oct. 24 and Odisha, Jharkhand, and Gangetic parts of West Bengal Oct. 26. 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; around 300,000-400,000 people had been evacuated by late Oct. 23. More than 100,000 people have been moved into shelters in at-risk areas of West Bengal. East Coast Railways has canceled around 200 trains passing through and originating from Odisha over the coming days, with dozens of other train services in West Bengal also canceled. Flight operations will be suspended at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU) in Kolkata from 18:00 Oct. 24 through 09:00 Oct. 25, affecting more than 200 flights. Biju Patnaik Airport (BBI) in Bhubaneswar will also be closed from 17:00 Oct. 24 through 09:00 Oct. 25. Ferry services have been suspended in coastal areas of West Bengal. 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.