MoPSW takes precautionary measures in response to Cyclone “DANA”
NEW DELHI : In anticipation of Severe Cyclone “DANA,” the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) has initiated comprehensive safety measures to safeguard the port, vessels, and personnel. The Minister of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shri Shantanu Thakur, chaired a detailed review meeting to assess the preparedness of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), Directorate General of Shipping, and the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Shri Thakur emphasized the need for coordinated action to mitigate the impact of the cyclone on maritime operations and ensure the safety of port personnel and vessels. Shri Thakur praised the proactive measures taken by the concerned agencies and urged them to stay vigilant in monitoring the situation as the cyclone intensifies.
The cyclone, currently centered over the East-central Bay of Bengal, is expected to intensify and make landfall between Odisha and West Bengal on the night of 24th October, with wind speeds of 100-110 kmph, gusting up to 120 kmph.
To ensure preparedness, all vessels alongside berths are to be ready with proper trim and stability, and their main engines prepared for sea by noon on 23rd October 2024. Vessels with light draft have been instructed to take on heavy weather ballast. Additionally, vessels at Paradip Anchorage are to move to a safe sea area by 23rd October evening, while Coast Guard vessels inside the harbour are to either secure for heavy weather or relocate to safer areas.
The severe cyclonic storm “DANA” (pronounced as Dana) over northwest Bay of Bengal moved north-northwestwards with a speed of 13 kmph during past 6 hours and lay centred at 1730 hrs IST of today, the 24th October, over the same region, near latitude 19.8° N and longitude 87.5°E, about 100 km east-southeast of Paradip (Odisha), 130 km south-southeast of Dhamara (Odisha) and 210 km south-southwest of Sagar Island (West Bengal). It is very likely to move north-northwestwards and cross north Odisha and West Bengal coasts between Puri and Sagar Island close to Bhitarkanika and Dhamara (Odisha) during mid-night of 24th to morning of 25th October, 2024 as a severe Cyclonic Storm with a wind speed of 100-110 kmph gusting 120 kmph. The system is under continuous surveillance of the Doppler Weather Radar at Paradip and Gopalpur.