2) In view of the situation, the government has urged the tourists to leave the coastal town of Puri as a precautionary measure. “The tourists who have come to Puri should leave the seaside pilgrim town soon as the district is likely to be affected by the severe cyclonic storm,” Odisha Minister Suresh Pujari said.

As Cyclone Dana approaches Odisha, memories of the devastating Cyclone Phailin in 2013 resurface among residents. With potential wind speeds of 120 kmph, the storm is predicted to hit between Puri and Sagar Island.

Cyclone Dana is expected to make landfall in West Bengal and Odisha on Thursday, forcing schools to close and beaches to evacuate ahead of Diwali and Kali Puja.

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Bracing for a severe cyclonic storm, the Odisha and West Bengal governments have started evacuating people from coastal districts to relief camps. Both governments have also decided to close educational institutions in vulnerable areas.

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.