Odisha schools to remain closed in 14 districts for next 3 days due to cyclone Dana

NEW DELHI: The Odisha government has directed all schools to remain closed in 14 districts from October 23 to 25 in view of the impending cyclonic storm over Bay of Bengal. The IMD has issued a red warning (take action) of heavy to very heavy rainfall in Puri, Khurda, Ganjam and Jagatsinghpur districts of Odisha on October 24.

Keeping in view, the schools in the above districts from 23rd October to 25th October 2024 shall remain closed as a precautionary measure. It is, therefore, requested to please take necessary action in this regard under intimation to this Department. Yours faithfully,

The schools will remain closed in the districts of Ganjam, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Angul, Khordha, Nayagarh and Cuttack districts, as per the government order.

The state government said: “As you are aware, IMD, Bhubaneswar has predicted that a well-marked low pressure area has been developed over east central Bay of Bengal at 1130 hours IST of today, the 21st October 2024 which is very likely to move west- northwestwards and intensify into a depression by 22nd October morning and into a cyclonic storm by 23rd October, 2024 over east central Bay of Bengal.”

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Cyclone Dana: IMD issues red warning

“Thereafter, it is very likely to move north westwards and reach northwest Bay of Bengal off Odisha-West Bengal coasts by 24th October morning. It is further very likely to cross north Odisha and West Bengal coasts between Puri and Sagar Island during night of 24th and early morning 25th October, 2024 as a severe Cyclonic Storm with a wind speed of 100-110 kmph gusting 120 kmph,” it added.

The IMD has issued a red warning (take action) of heavy to very heavy rainfall (7 to 20 cm) with isolated extremely heavy rainfall (more than 20 cm) and thunderstorm with lightning in Puri, Khurda, Ganjam and Jagatsinghpur districts of Odisha on October 24. Special Relief Commissioner DK Singh asked the School and Mass Education department to close schools in 14 likely affected districts from October 23 to 25 as a precautionary measure.

President Droupadi Murmu’s three-day visit to Odisha from Wednesday has also been postponed in view of the impending cyclone. Murmu was scheduled to visit Bangriposi, Uparbeda, Rairangpur, Puri and Bhubaneswar during her stay.