by Priyadarshi Mohapatra  

Paradip :   With Cyclone” Dana “appraching the state”s  three major ports – Paradeep,Dhamara  and Gopalpur -have raised  signal 10 the highest  alert known for impending danger which prohibit the fishermen and trawllers  to go into the sea to catch fishes.The wind speed of the cyclone during the landfall lkely between Bhitarakanika and Dhamara is expcted to be around 100-120 km  per hour IMD sorces said.
The cyclone which has been formed lay centred  about 460 km  southeast of  Paradip .Coastal districts which are to be affcted  are already  in the grip of heavy rains  and gusting winds leading to a sever affect of electricity in those areas.Cloudy skies  and heavy downpourshave heightened  the concern of local  residnts Meanwhile ,Paradip and Chandbali  have recorded 51 mm an 39 of rain today respectively.
Giving the information ,director  of the regional  centre  in Bhubaneswar  Mrs Manorama  Mohanty confirmed ” Great Danger Signal 10 has been issued at Paradeep ,Dhamara and Gopalpur ports..Signal 10 defines  the imminent  arrival of severe weather with winds exceeding 89 kmph while 8 warns  of winds  between 63-87 kmph leading to halt the operation of ports as a  mark of precaution.It is also predicted that high tides   ranging from 0.5 to 2 meter  along the coast line is also expected during the cyclone”s landfall  
According to the input of the IMD the cyclone is lkely to make landfall at Dhamara. Meanwhile ,the higher education minister Mr Suryabanshi, reviewing the port”s  readiness said as the eye of cyclone will pass through Damara putting the entire area in the danger zone so evacuation is underway and the port authorities are working round the clock to minimise its impact.
The cyclone Dana has, meanwhile ,intensified  into a severe cyclonic storm  over the central  and northwest  Bay of Bengal movng at a speed of 15 kmph. It was located 280 km southwest of Paradip,370 km southeast of Dhamaraand 370 km Southeast of Sagar Island  in West  Bengal.It is also expected that cyclone will make landfall near Bhitarakanika and Dhamara .