Over a million people evacuated as India braces for severe storm - Dana expected to hammer low-lying regions of West Bengal and Odisha, home to 150 million people

A depression over the Bay of Bengal has turned into a deep depression on Tuesday and is likely to transform into a cyclonic storm in a few years, hitting the Odisha-West Bengal coast on October 25

A powerful cyclone is expected to barrel into India's eastern coast early on Friday. Here are some key details about its landfall and intensity, and the measures being taken by authorities to protect people and property.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the severe cyclone ‘Dana’, with wind speeds expected to reach up to 120 kmph (75 mph), is likely to hit between Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapara district and Dhamra Port in Bhadrak district by Friday morning.

The cyclone is expected to hit Odisha and West Bengal by October 24, bringing heavy rainfall and potential landslides

The India Meteorological Department said in its forecast, "…the system is very likely to cross north Odisha and West Bengal coasts between Puri and Sagar Island during the night of October 24 and early morning October 25 as a severe cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 100-110 kmph with gusting 120 kmph.

Airlines and train services suspended and heavy rain lashes in West Bengal and Odisha. Follow The Hindu's live updates on Cyclone Dana

Cyclone Dana has prompted the Odisha government to close schools and advise fishermen to avoid going till October 24

As Cyclone ‘Dana’ barrels toward the Odisha coast, threatening to impact nearly half the state’s population, the government is racing against time to execute a massive evacuation plan aimed at relocat