INDIAN authorities closed schools, evacuated hundreds of thousands of people and cancelled trains in parts of the country as rescue teams braced for a tropical storm brewing in the Bay of Bengal today.

Tropical Storm Dana is expected to intensify, bringing winds of 62-68mph and gusts up to 74mph as it pushes toward the country’s eastern coastline where it is set to make landfall, according to the Indian Meteorological Department.

Climate scientists say severe storms are becoming more frequent in south Asia. Global warming driven by planet-heating gases has caused them to become more extreme and unpredictable.

The storm is expected to affect most parts of the eastern state of Odisha, which saw strong winds and rain this morning. 

Authorities have closed schools, cancelled more than 200 trains, suspended flights and warned fishermen not to venture out to sea.

Downpours also began lashing areas of neighbouring West Bengal state, where some districts are also likely to be hit, prompting officials there to be on high alert.

Odisha’s chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi told the Press Trust of India news agency that around 300,000 people have been evacuated from vulnerable areas. 

“The government is fully prepared to tackle the situation. You are in safe hands,” Mr Majhi said.