Severe cyclonic storm “Dana” that made a landfall over the north Odisha coast early on Friday morning weakened into a cyclone over north coastal Odisha and lay centred about 30 km north-east of Bhadrak and 50 km north-northwest of Dhamara. The maximum sustained wind speed around the centre of the cyclone was about 80-90 km/hr gusting to 100 km/hr.
The track, time, and place of landfall of Dana were exactly on the lines predicted by India Meteorological Department (IMD), proving yet again its expertise in the field. The cyclone was expected to move across north Odisha and weaken into a deep depression towards the evening. Towards the other side, a productive cyclonic circulation has been stationed over the south-east Arabian Sea off south Kerala. A fresh western disturbance south-west Iran on Thursday evening.
Heavy rain over south, east
Heavy to very heavy rain fell at isolated places over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & Karaikal and Odisha while it was heavy at isolated places over Kerala & Mahe; Coastal Karnataka; and plains of West Bengal during the 24 hours ending on Friday morning, as the erstwhile cyclone and the cyclonic circulation over the Arabian Sea pulled in lots of moisture into the region.
Outlook for Saturday for the South Peninsula said heavy rain (≥7cm) is likely at isolated places over the plains of West Bengal; Odisha; Kerala & Mahe; and Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & Karaikal. Thunderstorms accompanied with lightning are likely at isolated places over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & Karaikal; Kerala & Mahe; and Lakshadweep.
Outlook for Saturday
Over East and North-East India, squally winds with speed reaching 40-50 km/hr gusting to 60 km/hr may prevail over south Jharkhand. Squally winds with speed 35 km/hr to 45 km/hr gusting to 55 km/hr are along and off Odisha coast; along and off Kerala coast; and over Lakshadweep area. Fishermen are advised not to venture into these areas.
Rain for Odisha, Bengal
The weakening phase of Dana may bring light to moderate rain over interior Odisha, heavy to very heavy rain at a few places, and extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places on Friday. Squally winds with speeds reaching 40-50 km/hr and gusting to 60 km/hr may prevail in the region and pick up to 50-60 km/hr gusting to 70 km/hr from the afternoon until Saturday morning.
- Read also: Cyclone Dana: Kolkata airport suspends flight operations, Railways takes proactive measures
Light to moderate rain is forecast at most places over the Baleswar, Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsingpur, Kendujhar, Jajpur, Cuttack and Dhenkanal, Khorda and Puri districts of Odisha with heavy to very heavy rain at a few places and extremely heavy rain(≥ 21 cm) at isolated places on Friday. Similar conditions will prevail over the South and North 24 Parganas, East and West Medinipur, Jhargram, Howrah, Hooghly, Kolkata and Bankura districts of neighbouring West Bengal.
Track of Dana remnant
Light to moderate rain is likely at most places over south Jharkhand and south Bihar, with heavy to very heavy rain in a few places and extremely heavy rain in isolated places. A remnant of the cyclone is forecast to slide down the Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh coast, move west over northern parts of the peninsula, and enter the Arabian Sea off the Goa coast. Winds are south-westerly for the time being and will continue to bring rain to southern parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu for next few days.
N-E monsoon set to revive
After having been disrupted by the severe cyclone, the north-east monsoon may revive over the Bay of Bengal from the first week of November, according to numerical model predictions. It may bring organised rain along the Tamil Nadu coast before establishing its strength later. According to the Climate Forecast System model, heavier rain may lash the south peninsula from November 13 to November 22 and reduce only slightly in intensity till early December, when forecasts are available.