The deep depression over Bay of Bengal has intensified into a cyclonic storm, Dana and is likely to cross the coasts of Odisha and West Bengal as a severe cyclonic storm on Thursday midnight with a wind speed of 100-110 km per hour gusting 120 km per hours, the India Meteorological Department has sounded an alert for heavy rainfall in the West Tripura, South Tripura and Sepahijala districts in Tripura.

Dr Partha Roy, Director of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Agartala, said that while there is a possibility of heavy rainfall in Odisha and West Bengal between Thursday night and Friday morning, as Tripura was 500 km away from the cyclone, no direct effect is likely to be seen in most parts of the state.

“Heavy rainfall may occur in these two districts (West Tripura, South Tripura and Sepahijala) on October 24 and there is a possibility of thunderstorms and light rainfall in the rest districts of Tripura and issued ‘yellow’ warnings. From October 25, the effect of the cyclone will lessen,” said Dr Roy.

As Odisha and West Bengal brace for the impact of cyclone Dana, several trains and flights have been cancelled and lakhs of people have been evacuated to relief centres in both states.