Bhubaneswar, Oct 22: The Odisha government announced on Tuesday the closure of two ecological hotspots—Similipal Tiger Reserve in Mayurbhanj district and Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapara district—due to an approaching severe cyclonic storm Dana.
Both Mayurbhanj and Kendrapara districts have been classified as "Red Zone" areas, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts the storm will impact the east coast between the night of October 24 and the morning of October 25.
Keeping in view of the possible impact of cyclone Dana, the Forest Department has declared that Bhitarkanika National Park and Similipal Tiger Reserve will be closed to visitors and tourists from October 23 to October 25.