Cyclone Dana Set to Impact Odisha and West Bengal

Why in the news?

Cyclone Dana is predicted to develop over the Bay of Bengal, bringing severe weather conditions and heavy rainfall to Odisha and West Bengal by the end of the week.

Cyclone Dana Set to Impact Odisha and West Bengal

Cyclone Dana: Current Status and Path

  • The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported a well-marked low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal, expected to develop into a severe cyclonic storm.
  • Cyclone Dana is projected to cross the coasts of north Odisha and West Bengal between Puri and Sagar Island during the night on 17th October and early 18th October
  • The system is anticipated to deepen into a depression on October 22nd and evolve into a cyclone by 23rd october.

Predicted Impact

  • Cyclone Dana may produce wind speeds of 100-110 km/h, with gusts reaching up to 120 km/h.
  • Heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecasted for 11 districts in Odisha, prompting precautionary measures.
  • A red alert has been issued for the districts of Mayurbhanj, Cuttack, Jajpur, Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapada, and Jagatsinghpur.
  • Fishermen have been warned to avoid sea activities until October 25 due to dangerous conditions.

Cyclones: Definition and Features

  • Definition: A cyclone is a large-scale rotating air mass around a centre of low atmospheric pressure.
  • Formation: Develops over warm ocean waters (above 26.5°C) due to the rapid upward movement of warm air, leading to cloud formation and energy release.
  • Wind Speed: Severe cyclonic storms have wind speeds typically between 89 and 117 km/h.
  • Impact: Cyclones cause torrential rain, high-speed winds, storm surges, flooding, infrastructure damage, and displacement of communities.

Naming of Cyclones

  • Origin: Initiated by WMO/ESCAP in 2000, involving countries like Bangladesh and India, with 169 names released in 2020.
  • Member Countries: Includes Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Thailand; Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Yemen were added in 2018.
  • Purpose: Simplifies communication for the public and authorities to track storms effectively.

Guidelines and Recent Cyclones

  • Naming Guidelines: Names must be short, easy to pronounce, and culturally neutral; offensive names are prohibited.
  • Recent Cyclone Names:
    • Remal – Oman
    • Asna – Pakistan
    • Dana – Qatar

Sources Referred:

PIB, The Hindu, Indian Express, Hindustan Times