Cyclonic storm Dana is rapidly approaching the Odisha coast in India and is expected to make landfall early Friday morning, bringing heavy rains and thunderstorms to the area.

The cyclone is likely to heavily impact coastal Odisha and southern West Bengal, with reports indicating that nearly half of Odisha's population could be at risk after landfall, according to the Hindustan Times.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, after reviewing the state’s preparedness, noted that by Wednesday evening, only 30% of residents in identified "danger zones"—approximately 300,000 to 400,000 people—had been evacuated. Evacuations from high-risk areas are set to continue Thursday morning.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that Cyclone Dana will make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port early Friday, with the landfall process starting on Thursday night.

IMD Director-General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra cautioned that wind speeds could reach up to 120 km/h during landfall.

Odisha is bracing for a multi-hazard scenario, with very heavy rainfall and a tidal surge of up to two meters expected to impact the region during the cyclone's landfall