Thu Oct 24 06:26:10 UTC 2024: **Cyclone Dana LIVE Update: Important Points**

1. **Cyclone Impact**: Cyclone Dana is expected to hit the coasts of Odisha and West Bengal on October 24, with severe weather conditions anticipated, prompting a red alert from the meteorological department.

2. **Wind Speeds**: The cyclone is predicted to have wind speeds ranging from 120 to 130 km/h upon landing, leading to strong winds and heavy rainfall.

3. **Flight and Train Cancellations**: All flights at Kolkata Airport are suspended from Thursday evening to Friday morning. In Bhubaneswar, flights will be halted for 16 hours starting Thursday evening. Additionally, over 150 trains have been canceled, with 190 local trains in East Railway’s Sealdah division not operating during specific hours.

4. **Evacuations and Preparations**: The Odisha government is making extensive preparations, with plans to evacuate 1 million people from coastal areas. As of Wednesday evening, over 300,000 people have already been moved to safer locations.

5. **Impact on Other States**: The cyclone may also affect Bihar and Jharkhand, leading to increased vigilance in those regions.

6. **Fishing Ban**: A fishing ban has been implemented until October 26 in Bhadrak, Odisha, where 911 registered boats have been ordered to stop operations.

7. **Forecasting Details**: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) estimates that the cyclone will likely make landfall between the BhitarKanika National Park and the Dhamra Port by early Friday morning, with sustained wind speeds expected to be around 120 km/h.

8. **Historical Naming**: The name “Dana,” which means “generosity” in Arabic, follows the tradition of naming cyclones in the region by Qatar.

Overall, the situation is being closely monitored as communities prepare for the impending cyclone.

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