Cyclone Dana's impacts might be lesser

As the severe cyclonic storm Dana makes landfall in the Indian state of Odisha, Bangladesh is facing a reduced threat from the oceanic storm.

Director of BMD Dr. Md Sadequl Alam said the cyclone is likely to make landfall in Odisha and West Bengal of the neighbouring country. However, its impact could be felt across most of the coastal regions, especially the Sundarbans, which may experience the most losses.

As of Thursday noon, Cyclone Dana was positioned in the northwest Bay of Bengal, with winds reaching speeds of up to 110 km/h.

It is expected to move north-northwest and make landfall along the coast of India in the early hours of Friday.

"However, under its influence, the North Bay will remain rough," he said.

Meanwhile, the Navy jetty at Inani Beach in Cox's Bazar collapsed Thursday morning due to the pressure of turbulent sea waves.

Despite the cyclone's trajectory, the BMD has issued warnings about potential flooding in 14 coastal districts of Bangladesh.

The agency's special notification suggests that these areas could experience flooding of 2.0-3.00 feet due to wind-driven tides.

While Cyclone Dana has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm, light to moderate rain is anticipated in the Khulna, Barishal, and Chattogram divisions over the next couple of days, with wind speeds between 30-40 km/h.

Normal weather conditions are expected to return by Saturday, according to BMD.

As on Thursday morning, the cyclone was situated approximately 595 km southwest of Chattogram Port and 555 km southwest of Cox's Bazar Port. The storm is predicted to continue intensifying as it approaches the eastern coast of India.

The BMD has warned that under the peripheral effects of the cyclone, heavy (44-88 mm) to very heavy (89 mm-100mm) rainfall could occur in the North Bay and its coastal areas, leading to flooding in low-lying regions.

Areas at risk include Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Barguna, Barishal, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, Patuakhali, Bhola, Lakshmipur, Noakhali, Feni, Chattogram, and Cox's Bazar.

The maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla, and Payra have been advised to hoist local cautionary signal number three, and all fishing boats and trawlers in the North Bay and deep sea have been instructed to seek shelter until further notice.

Residents, especially in the Satkhira coast, expressed concern about the integrity of embankments amid these weather conditions.

Although the immediate threat from Cyclone Dana might be less severe for Bangladesh, authorities remain vigilant, monitoring the situation closely.

Meanwhile, the severe rain and inundation might cause losses to early varieties of Aman, while it could also impact late-planted paddy plants set to be harvested from the last week of November, regional offices of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Jashore, Noakhali, and Barishal said.

Vegetable fields in about 0.2 million hectares might witness damage if heavy rain continues for the next two to three days, they said.

Officials at DAE Rangpur region said farmers in Nilphamari, Rangpur, Lalmonirhat have planted an advanced variety of local potato which might be ready to harvest from mid-November. They said rain might cause significant damage to potato crops like that of last year.

Our Cox's Bazar correspondent added: The Navy jetty at Inani Beach in Ukhia, Cox's Bazar, collapsed Thursday morning under the influence of Cyclone Dana.

Cox's Bazar has become very turbulent due to the storm, with wave heights seven to eight feet higher than normal.

On Thursday morning, the middle part of the jetty built by the Bangladesh Navy at Inani Beach on Cox's Bazar-Teknaf Marine Drive collapsed. The rest of the jetty might also be damaged if the cyclone continues to hit.

The collapse of the jetty has made tourist trips to St. Martin uncertain. From November 1, several ships are supposed to travel to the island from the jetty.

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