The cyclonic DANA likely to move northwestwards and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over northwest Bay of Bengal by early morning on Thursday, said a latest bulleting released by the Indian Meteorological Department.

“The cyclonic storm over East central Bay of Bengal moved northwestwards with a speed of 15 kmph during past 6 hours and laying  centred at 0830 hrs IST of today over the same region about 520 km southeast of Paradip (Odisha), 600 km south-southeast of Sagar Island (West Bengal) and 610 km south of Khepupara (Bangladesh)”, said the bulletin released 1145 IST (Indian Standard Time).

It is very likely to move northwestwards and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over northwest Bay of Bengal by early morning of tomorrow and may cross north Odisha and West Bengal coasts between Puri and Sagar Island close to Bhitarkanika and Dhamara (Odisha) during night of October 24  to morning of 25 October, with a wind speed of 100-110 kmph gusting 120 kmph.

The  storm over East central Bay of Bengal and adjoining area moved West-Northwestwards and lies over the same area and was centered at 12 noon today about 665 kms West-Southwest of Chattogram port, 600kms West-Southwest of Cox’s Bazar port, 640kms South-Southeast of Mongla port and 595 kms South-Southeast of Payra port, according to latest bulletin issued by the meteorological department  here.

It is likely to move West-Northwesterly direction and intensify further, the bulletin elaborated.

Maximum sustained wind speed within 54km of the cyclone center is about 62 kph rising to 88 kph in gusts or squalls.

Sea will remain very rough near the cyclone center. Maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised hoisting local cautionary signal no-three.

All fishing boat and trawler over North Bay and deep sea have been advised to take shelter immediately.