The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday said that the Cyclonic Storm ‘Hamoon’ has now intensified into a severe cyclonic storm over the Northwest Bay of Bengal.

As per the information from IMD, the Cyclonic Storm ‘Hamoon’ over Northwest and adjoining Westcentral Bay of Bengal moved northeastwards with a speed of 18 km per hour during the past 6 hours.

The cyclonic storm after moving for six hours, intensified into a severe cyclonic storm and lay centred, at 2:30 am on October 24, over the northwest Bay of Bengal, near latitude 19.3°N and longitude 88.4°E, about 210 km east-southeast of Paradip (Odisha), 270 km south-southeast of Digha (West Bengal) and 350 km south-southwest of Khepupara (Bangladesh).

The cyclonic storm is very likely to move nearly north-northeast wards and cross the Bangladesh coast between Khepupara and Chittagong around noon on October 25 as a Deep Depression.

Earlier, on Monday, the Municipal Administration in Odisha had put all Urban Local Bodies (ULB) on alert in view of the formation of cyclonic storm ‘Hamoon’ in the Bay of Bengal.

Director Municipal Administration Sangramjit Nayak, in an official statement, issued a directive to all ULB Chiefs, sensitising them about the impending danger due to the formation of cyclonic storm ‘Hamoon’ in the Bay of Bengal, which will culminate in huge rainfall, wind, and inclement weather.

Dussehra and Vijay Dashmi represent different names for the same Hindu festival, observed on the tenth day of the Ashvin month in the Hindu calendar. This significant festival symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and is also known as Dasara, Dashain, and Navratri Puja in different regions.

The festival is being celebrated across the country today. In many parts several rallies have been planned with two big rallies by Shiv Sena factions to be taken out in Mumbai today. Over 15,000 police personnel have been deployed in Mumbai, in view of Dussehra rallies of both factions of Shiv Sena and immersion of goddesses Durga idols. 

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) also organised its annual Vijayadashami Utsav in Nagpur city, where singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan attended as the chief guest.

In view of Dussehra festivities, there will be certain traffic restrictions in Delhi, Mumbai, Noida and some other parts to ensure smooth traffic flow. Several roads will be blocked and traffic will be diverted to avoid congestion. 

Here are the LIVE updates on Dussehra 2023 celebrations: 

The annual ‘Vijayadashmi Utsav’ event of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) started with workers’ ‘Path Sanchalan’ (route march) at Maharashtra’s Nagpur on Tuesday.

The ceremonial Dussehra event is graced by singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan as the Chief Guest of the function.

#WATCH | RSS holds annual Vijaydashmi Utsav in Nagpur, Maharashtra. pic.twitter.com/oDci1JUSnI

— ANI (@ANI) October 24, 2023

Speaking on occasion, Shankar Mahadevan extended his greetings to everyone on the occasion of Vijayadashmi and thanked the RSS chief for inviting him as the Chief Guest of the event.

“I want to extend my greetings to everyone on the occasion of Vijayadashami. I am very honoured & privileged that I have been welcomed as a chief guest at this function. I want to thank the RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and the entire Swayamsevak Sangh family. I am very excited to attend this program,” Shankar Mahadevan said while speaking to ANI at the event.

On the occasion, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat paid tribute to the founder of the organisation KB Hedgewar.

Shankar Mahadevan was also seen offering floral tributes at the statue of KB Hedgewar.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat also performed ‘Shastra Pooja’ on the occasion of ‘Vijayadashami Utsav’.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis were also present at the event.