It is now testing times for the people in Odisha as they again brace up to face the wrath of another cyclonic storm.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted heavy rainfall in Odisha and West Bengal as Cyclone Dana, the first major storm of the cyclone season, is expected to make landfall on October 24 and prevail until October 25.

Cyclone Dana is set to make landfall on Odisha-West Bengal coasts on the night of October 24, bringing severe winds, heavy rains, and a potential threat to coastal areas.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a low-pressure area has been created in the east-central Bay of Bengal. This would eventually move northwestward and is expected to highly intensify into a possibly severe cyclone storm by October 23,

The severe cyclonic storm ‘Dana’ is expected to hit Odisha and West Bengal on October 24-25, as per IMD. Cyclone Dana live updates: The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted on Monday that the low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal is likely to turn into a severe cyclonic storm by October 23 and reach the coasts adjoining Odisha and West Bengal the next day.

Amidst the uncertainty over the exact place of Cyclone Dana landfall, India Meteorological Department (IMD) Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra on Tuesday said that the impact will be more in north Odisha and West Bengal.

Cyclone Dana will likely cause extremely heavy rainfall in Odisha and West Bengal on October 24 and 25, and heavy rainfall in both states till Friday, the weather body said.

The cyclone, named "Cyclone Dana," is predicted to make its landfall along the Odisha coast, with the peak impact expected to occur between October 24 and 25.

Odisha Minister Suresh Pujari said apart from 800 cyclone shelters, an additional 500 temporary shelters have been made ready including schools and colleges.