BHUBANESHWAR, India — Authorities in Odisha, eastern India, have ordered schools in several regions to close and advised tourists to leave the popular beach destination of Puri as the state braces for an approaching cyclonic storm.

Cyclone Dana, currently positioned over the Bay of Bengal, is predicted to intensify into a severe storm with wind speeds reaching up to 120 kph, and is expected to make landfall on Thursday evening (Oct 24), according to the weather department.

Schools in 14 districts will remain closed from Wednesday to Friday, and fishermen have been cautioned against going out to sea, a senior official from the Special Relief Commissioner's office, responsible for disaster management, told Reuters.

Officials have asked tourists and pilgrims visiting Puri, renowned for the Jagannath temple, to leave the city, while rescue teams are on alert.

The weather office has forecast heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across Odisha in the next few days, with potential risks of the storm causing damage to houses, roads, crops, and power lines, as well as triggering floods and landslides.

Although Odisha is frequently hit by cyclones, the state has enhanced its disaster preparedness, minimizing the impact of such events.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Screengrab/India Meteorological Department