Cyclone 'Dana' is approaching the coast with increased strength. It could make a possible 'landfall' between Thursday night and Friday morning. The Alipore Meteorological Department has warned that high tides may occur along the coast of West Bengal as the cyclone makes landfall. The wave height can be more than 14 feet maximum!

'Dana' is moving towards the coast at a speed of 12 km per hour in the sea. Orientation is mainly North-West. Meteorologists said, 'grains' may fall in Dhamara from Odisha. At that time, from late Thursday night to early Friday morning, coastal waves will be at their highest. According to the forecast, the waves of 9.84 feet to 14.43 feet are expected to rise between 2.30 pm on Thursday and 5.30 am on Friday morning along the coast of West Bengal. It is advised to keep the coast clear during this period. Boats, small watercraft have been asked to move to a safe place by the air office.

According to the latest bulletin from Alipore, 'Dana' is 120 km south-east of Paradwip in Odisha, 210 km south-southeast of Dhamara and 270 km south of Sagardwip in West Bengal.

Already, the activities to deal with 'Dana' have started in coastal areas like Digha, Mandarmani. Tourists were evacuated earlier. Local residents have also been evacuated from areas adjacent to the coast to safer places. Those who have mud houses have taken shelter in relief camps.

An official of the Alipur Meteorological Department said that although there is no 'landfall' in West Bengal, there is a risk of maximum damage due to 'Dana' in East Medinipur district. There, the speed of the storm may exceed 100 km/h from Thursday night. A storm with a maximum speed of 120 km can blow in East Medinipur. Apart from this, parts of South 24 Parganas including Sundarbans will witness 'Dana' rampage. The speed of the storm may be 90 to 100 kmph. The maximum speed of storm in Kolkata is 80 kmph. Alerts have also been issued at Haldia and Kolkata ports.

Rains will continue in West Bengal till Friday under the influence of 'Dana'. Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly and North 24 Parganas are likely to receive heavy to very heavy rain till Friday. The same possibility exists in Jhargram. However, Purulia, Bankura, East Burdwan, West Burdwan, Murshidabad and Nadia are also likely to receive heavy rain till Friday. A red warning of very heavy rain has been issued for East Midnapore, South 24 Parganas and West Midnapore on Thursday and Friday. The warning is in Jhargram on Friday. Heavy rain will continue in both Midnipur and Jhargram on Saturday.