West Bengal: Schools Shut From October 23 To 26 In Several Districts Due To Cyclone Dana

West Bengal schools in several districts will close from October 23 to 26 due to Cyclone Dana, with heavy rainfall expected.

The West Bengal government has announced the closure of schools in several districts from October 23 to 26 due to Cyclone Dana, as reported by news agency ANI. Schools will remain closed in South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas, Purba Medinipur, Paschim Medinipur, Jhargram, Bankura, Hooghly, Howrah, and Kolkata.

Earlier, the Odisha government had ordered school closures in 14 districts from October 23 to 25 as a precautionary measure against the approaching cyclonic storm. A low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal developed into a depression earlier today, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting it could intensify into a severe cyclonic storm. 

IMD has issued an alert, stating that the storm is expected to form by October 23 and cross the northern Odisha and southern West Bengal coasts between Puri and Sagar in the early hours of October 25.

Southern West Bengal will experience heavy to very heavy rainfall, particularly on October 24 and 25, with extremely heavy downpours likely in districts like South 24 Parganas, Paschim Medinipur, Purba Medinipur, and Jhargram. Additionally, heavy rainfall is forecasted for Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, North 24 Parganas, Purulia, and Bankura on October 24 and 25.

Kolkata airport authorities have initiated preparations ahead of Cyclone Dana, which is expected to hit the Odisha and West Bengal coasts on October 24.

"We are following standard operating procedures, including inspecting airport infrastructure, checking the drainage system, and servicing all installations," said Dr. Pravat Ranjan Beuria, the airport's director, as reported by PTI.

Cyclone Dana is predicted to bring heavy rainfall to both states for at least three days, lasting until Friday. IMD also indicated that wind speeds along the Odisha-West Bengal coasts could reach 60 kmph starting Wednesday, increasing to 100-110 kmph, with gusts up to 120 kmph, between the night of October 24 and the morning of October 25. Fishermen in coastal areas have been advised to avoid venturing into the sea this week

A red alert has been issued for Odisha's Puri, Khurda, Ganjam, and Jagatsinghpur districts on October 24, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall and lightning due to Cyclone Dana.

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