Cyclone Dana to Impact Bihar with Heavy Rains and Strong Winds, Set to Hit Odisha and West Bengal

Patna: Cyclone Dana, rising from the Bay of Bengal, is expected to hit Odisha and West Bengal on October 24- 25, bringing heavy rains and strong winds to several regions. The storm, named by Saudi Arabia, is set to affect other states, including Bihar, with weather alerts issued for the coming days.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that the effects of Cyclone Dana will begin on the night of October 24, with heavy rainfall forecast for eastern and southern parts of Bihar, including Bhagalpur, Banka, Jamui, Munger, Sheikhpura, Nalanda, Jehanabad, Lakhisarai, Nawada, Gaya, Katihar, Purnia, and Kishanganj. Winds of up to 40 km/h are expected in these areas, along with light to moderate rainfall between October 24 and 26.

Cyclone Dana’s name, meaning “generosity” in Arabic, follows the practice of naming storms once their wind speed surpasses 62 km/h. Should its winds reach or exceed 137 km/h, it will officially be classified as a cyclonic storm.

In West Bengal, the districts of East Medinipur, West Medinipur, South 24 Parganas, and North 24 Parganas are bracing for very heavy rainfall on October 23- 24, while Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, and Jhargram are likely to experience heavy showers.

Odisha is preparing for severe weather, with a red alert issued for Puri, Khurda, Ganjam, and Jagatsinghpur on October 24. These districts could see extremely heavy rainfall, exceeding 20 cm, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning.

In Andhra Pradesh, gusty winds of 30-50 km/h and heavy rainfall are predicted for the Rayalaseema region. Karnataka has already been impacted, with flood-like conditions reported in some areas due to heavy rains ahead of the storm’s arrival. Tamil Nadu and Puducherry have been placed under a five-day heavy rainfall warning.