India Hit By Tropical Storm Funds, Schools Closed, 300,000 People Evacuated

JAKARTA - Authorities in India closed schools, canceled rail operations, and evacuated hundreds of thousands of people in a number of areas as a result of the tropical storm Fund that hit Bengal Bay.

The Indian Meteorological Department revealed that the wind speed of Hurricane Dana is estimated at 100-110 kph (62-68 mph) and carries up to 120 kph (74 mph) to the east coast.

It is estimated that Hurricane Dana will hit the mainland on Thursday, October 24 evening and Friday, October 25 in the morning.

The storm is expected to hit large parts of the state of Odisha in the eastern part, which experienced strong winds and rain on Thursday, October 24 morning.

Authorities have closed schools, canceled more than 200 train trips, suspended flights, and warned fishermen not to go to sea.

Heavy rains have also begun to flush the neighboring West Bengal state area, where several districts are also likely to be hit by storms.

Chief Minister of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi told the Press Trust of India news agency that about 300,000 people had been evacuated from vulnerable areas. He added that three districts are likely to be severely affected.

It is planned that the authorities will evacuate more than 1 million people from 14 districts before the storm hits. Several aid and rescue workers have also been deployed to the state, which is prone to cyclones and severe storms.

Indian climate scientists say severe storms are increasingly occurring in South Asia. Gas-driven global warming that heats planets has caused storms to become more extreme and unpredictable.