Cyclone ‘Dana’ Forms Over Bay of Bengal

23-10-2024

As of October 23, 2024, the deep depression over the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a cyclonic storm named Dana.
The storm is expected to cross the coasts of Odisha and West Bengal between October 24 and 25, bringing with it severe weather conditions.

Cyclones form over warm ocean waters (above 26.5°C).
The warm water evaporates, increasing humidity.
This humid air rises, creating a low-pressure area at the surface.
As the air rises, it cools and condenses into clouds, releasing heat that fuels the storm.
The Coriolis effect causes the system to rotate, leading to the development of a tropical cyclone or hurricane.

Eye: A calm center with clear skies and low winds.
Eyewall: Surrounds the eye, containing the strongest winds and heaviest rainfall.
Rainbands: Spiraling bands of clouds extending from the eyewall, bringing rain and gusty winds.
Wind Speed: Classified by sustained winds, from tropical depressions to hurricanes (74 mph or higher).
Storm Surge: A rise in sea level due to strong winds, often causing coastal flooding.
Heavy Rainfall: Can lead to flooding and landslides in affected areas.
Destructive Winds: Cause damage to infrastructure and vegetation, especially in the eyewall.

Initiated by WMO/ESCAP in 2000 for the Indian Ocean region, with 169 names released in 2020.
Member Countries: Includes Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand; Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Yemen added in 2018.
Purpose: Simplifies communication for the public, media, and authorities for tracking and preparation.
Guidelines:
1. Names must be short, easy to pronounce, and politically, culturally, and religiously neutral.
2. No name can be repeated or deemed offensive.
3. Each country contributes 13 names used sequentially.
Naming Process:
1. Each member country suggests 13 names; the list rotates with each new cyclone.

Key points of the Cyclone dana:

Cyclone Dana is currently located approximately 560 km southeast of Paradip (Odisha), 630 km south-southeast of Sagar Island (West Bengal), and 630 km south-southeast of Khepupara (Bangladesh).
The storm is moving west-northwestward at a speed of 18 km per hour.
Dana is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm with wind speeds of 100-110 km/h, gusting up to 120 km/h.
It is expected to make landfall between Puri (Odisha) and Sagar Island (West Bengal) during the night of October 24 to the morning of October 25.

Wind Speeds:
1. Coastal districts of Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, and Balasore may experience winds of 100-110 km/h.
2. The northern Odisha district of Mayurbhanj is forecasted to see wind speeds of 80-90 km/h, while Puri is expected to have winds of 60-80 km/h.
3. Other districts such as Cuttack, Jajpur, Khurda, Bhubaneswar, Dhenkanal, and Keonjhar may record winds of 60-70 km/h.
4. Interior districts like Angul, Ganjam, Nayagarh, Boudh, Sambalpur, and Deogarh could experience wind speeds of 40-50 km/h.
Rainfall and Damage:
1. All affected districts are expected to receive heavy rainfall on October 24 and 25.
2. Potential damage includes uprooted trees, damaged thatched houses, and impacted power infrastructure.

The Archaeological Survey of India has instructed site in-charges of monuments and museums to close their premises to avoid incidents during the cyclone.
51 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams have been deployed in vulnerable districts, along with 178 fire services teams.
An additional 20 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are being mobilized from Bhatinda, Punjab, with five teams being flown to Bhubaneswar.
Chief Minister has directed cabinet members and MLAs to supervise cyclone preparedness and coordinate with senior administrative officials for effective response measures.

On 20the Oct 2024, Oscar made landfall as a category one hurricane near the city of Baracoa in eastern Cuba before weakening to a tropical storm.
The province of Guantánamo was the worst hit, with more than 1,000 homes damaged by heavy rains and strong winds.20 hours ago
Tropical Storm Oscar moving toward the Bahamas after heavy rains in eastern Cuba.

Record: Oscar is the smallest hurricane on record, with a wind field of about 6 miles (10 km) across.

Tropical Storm Kristy formed off Mexico's southern Pacific coast.
Location: 315 miles (510 km) southwest of Acapulco, moving west at 16 mph (26 kph) with winds of 45 mph (75 kph).
Forecast to strengthen into a hurricane but remain over open waters.