By Sanjeev Kumar Patro
Bhubaneswar: Even as the national weather forecaster IMD seems sticking on to its prediction that Cyclone Dana has intensified into a severe cyclone today, the just released tropical cyclone data from Joint Typhoon Warning Centre (JTWC) pegged the intensifying status of Cyclone Dana as Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS).
As per the mid-day release estimations on Cyclone Dana by JTWC, the speed of Cyclone Dana has slowed down to 11kmph from 15kmph in the morning hours on October 24. This underlines further intensification of the system. The big things popped out of the JTWC data is detailed below.
- Satellite and radar wind measurements estimated the top speed at 120kmph
- The gusting wind estimates stood at a high of 148kmph.
- The wind speed measurements showing Cyclone Dana with a sustained wind speed of 120kmph seems qualifying for an entry into the Very Severe Cyclone category.
- The minimum central pressure is now measured at 985 millibar.
- A cyclone can be termed as very severe cyclone when it carries a sustained wind speed of 118kmph to 150kmph.
- Moreover, JTWC forecast for next 12 hours (up to midnight Oct 24) is, the top wind speed of Cyclone Dana will go over 129kmph (129.6) and the gusting windspeed will touch 157kmph.
- The time for which the wind speed forecast is made by JTWC shows it will be the time when Cyclone Dana will be closest to Odisha coasts (Jagatsightpur-Kendrapada)
- Paradip will be witnessing Cyclone Dana havoc.
AREAS UNDER GALE IMPACT
A look at the JTWC tropical cyclone analysis brings to fore the finer details.
- 74 km northeast and northwest from the landfall centre will bear the maximum brunt of gusting wind of Cyclone Dana.
- Bhadrak town and most blocks of Kendrapada and Jagatsinghpur will be bearing the gusting windspeed brunt.
- Over 92kmph wind speed to pummel 111km area around the landfall centre.
- As per JTWC projections, Kendrapada district will be in the eye of Cyclone Dana.
- Jagatsinghpur district will also become the 2nd most affected district due to Cyclone Dana.
- Cyclone Dana will bring high tidal storm in Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada and Bhadrak.
- 26 feet tidal upsurge predicted.
DISSIPATION OF CYCLONE DANA
JTWC release has stated that VSCS Cyclone Dana will dissipate over Odisha in next 48 hours. The gusting wind speed will get pruned to 55kmph in next 48 hours (by Oct 26).
