Dhamra river and Bhitarkanika National Park

The severe cyclonic storm, packing wind speeds of up to 120 km per hour, was expected to make landfall close to Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra port in Odisha  on 25th October.

Cyclone Dana Brings Heavy Rains and Winds to Coastal Odisha

• Heavy Rainfall and Winds: Coastal Odisha faced heavy rain and squally winds due to the approaching Cyclone Dana.
• Expected Path: Likely to cross Odisha and West Bengal coasts between Puri and Sagar Island, near Bhitarkanika and Dhamra, from midnight on October 24 to morning on October 25
• Rainfall Records:
  • Paradip recorded the highest rainfall of 62 mm
  • Rajnagar in Kendrapara district received 24 mm rainfall in the last four hours

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About Bhitarkanika National Park

• Location: Kendrapara district, Odisha
• Delta Formation: Situated in a rich delta formed by the Brahmani, Baitarani, and Dhamara rivers.
• Mangrove Ranking: India’s second-largest mangrove ecosystem after the Sundarbans
• Soil Enrichment: Proximity to the Bay of Bengal enriches the soil with salts
• Ramsar Designation: Odisha’s second Ramsar site, after Chilika Lake.
  • It obtained the status of a Ramsar site in 2002
• Fauna: Saltwater Crocodile, Olive Ridley Sea Turtles, Asian Dowitcher, Black Ibis ,  Lesser Flamingo, etc.
  • It has all the 3 species of crocodiles ie. Gharial ( critically endangered), Mugger crocodile (vulnerable) and Saltwater crocodile.
• Flora: Mangrove forests

About Dhamra river

• Joint Stream: Formed by the confluence of the Brahmani and Baitarani rivers south of Chandabali town
• Outflow: It Empties into the Bay of Bengal
• Dhamra Port: Located north of the river’s mouth
• Gahirmatha Sanctuary: Situated near the mouth of the river
• Wheeler Island: A DRDO missile launch center located off the river mouth in the Bay of Bengal

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