IMD has issued an alert as Cyclonic Storm ‘Dana’ intensified over the Bay of Bengal, with landfall expected in Odisha and West Bengal on October 25. Authorities prepared for potential heavy rains, strong winds,

Cyclonic storm 'Dana', which formed over east-central Bay of Bengal on Wednesday, is set to bring heavy rainfall in several south Bengal districts, including Kolkata, the IMD said. Train Cancellations Due to Cyclone Eastern and South Eastern railways cancelled over 150 trains on October 24 and 25,

The cyclone is expected to hit Odisha and West Bengal by October 24, bringing heavy rainfall and potential landslides

The India Meteorological Department said in its forecast, "…the system is very likely to cross north Odisha and West Bengal coasts between Puri and Sagar Island during the night of October 24 and early morning October 25 as a severe cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 100-110 kmph with gusting 120 kmph.

East Coast Railways cancels 178 trains as cyclone nears Odisha and Bengal; authorities begin large-scale evacuations; schools closed in coastal districts from October 23 to 26

As Odisha and West Bengal brace for Cyclone Dana, which will likely make landfall in Odisha's Puri and West Bengal's Sagar Island during Thursday night and Friday, both states have started evacuating people from areas likely to be affected by the cyclone.

It is very likely to move northwestward and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over the northwest Bay of Bengal by early morning on October 24, said IMD.

Bracing for a severe cyclonic storm, the Odisha and West Bengal governments have started evacuating people from coastal districts to relief camps. Both governments have also decided to close educational institutions in vulnerable areas.