Bhubaneswar: Extremely Severe Cyclonic storm 'Fani' over West-Central Bay of Bengal, which is stated to be first severe cyclonic storm to have formed in April in India’s oceanic neighbourhood since 1976, continues to gain strength and move closer to Odisha coast.
Latest observations of IMD indicate that the eye of cyclone has completely moved into land by 10 AM. Thus the cyclone crossed coast between 8-10 AM.
As per the latest information by Odisha SRC Bishnupada Sethi, the landfall process has already begun in the coastal areas while Puri recorded a wind speed of 175 kmph. The extremely severe Cyclonic Storm Fani is expected to make a landfall very shortly.
Sethi further informed that around 10.85 lakh people have been evacuated in 11 vulnerable districts of Odisha. No reports of casualties yet, he added.
The sea condition is high to phenomenal along & off south coastal Odisha and adjoining north coastal Andhra Pradesh, By 5:30 AM, Gopalpur received maximum 150 mm rainfall, followed by Puri 100 mm, Bhubaneswar 50 mm and Paradip, Chandabali, Balasore with 30 mm each. While Gopalpur reported a wind speed of 53 knots (100 kmph), Puri reported a speed of 38 knots (70 kmph) at 5:30AM.
Here are the all the live updates:
At 6:30 AM, the extremely severe Cyclonic Storm Fani lay centered about 80 km south-southwest of Puri, 65 km southeast of Gopalpur: IMD
At 4:30 AM today, the extremely severe cyclonic storm “Fani” lay centered near lat. 18.90n and long. 85.40e over northwest & adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal about 110 km south-southwest of Puri, and 65 km southeast of Gopalpur, informed IMD. Gopalpur received a rainfall of 140mm, Puri 90mm and Kalingapatnam 90mm. Gopalpur also reported a wind speed of 57 knots (105 kmph) at 4:30AM today. Gopalpur also reported a wind speed of 57 knots (105 kmph) at 4:30AM today.
At 3:30 AM, extremely severe cyclonic storm Fani lies centred about 130 km South-Southwest of Puri & 75 Km South-Southwest of Gopalpur
105 kmph wind speed was recorded at Gopalpur of Odisha and 139mm rainfall, informed the SRC's office.
At 1:30 AM, the extremely severe cyclonic storm FANI lay centered near lat. 18.520N and long. 85.150E over West central & adjoining Northwest Bay of Bengal about 160 km south-southwest of Puri and 215 km East-Northeast of Visakhapatnam, reported IMD.
11:30 PM (May 2): The extremely severe cyclonic storm “Fani” lay centered over west Central & adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal about 200 km south-southwest of Puri and 190 km east-northeast of Visakhapatnam.
Cyclone Fani lies centred 240 kms from Puri and is approaching Odisha at a speed of 17 kmph. The landfall is expected between 8 AM and 10 AM tomorrow (May3) and the wind speed during landfall is expected to be around 170 to 180 kmph.
The Chief Secretary further said that there is high probability of Cyclone Fani making a landfall at Puri Town. He said landfall process is expected from 9:30 AM till 2 PM tomorrow adding that all government, private offices along with shops and markets have been directed to remain closed.
Coast guard units in #Odisha & WB are fully prepared for situation arising out of the landfall of #CycloneFani. Disaster Relief teams have been formed along Odisha & WB coast which would be providing relief assistance: Rajan Bargotra, Commander, Coast Guard Region (NE)
Presently laying centred about 240 km south-southwest of Puri (Odisha), the cyclone is moving with a speed of 17 kmph. It is likely to make landfall in Odisha coast near Puri between 8 AM and 10 AM tomorrow with maximum sustained wind speed of 170 kmph to 180 kmph gusting up to 200 kmph.
East Coast Railway cancelled 40 more trains between May 2 and May 4; earlier 107 trains between May 1 and May 3 had been cancelled.
As a precautionary measure, power supply will be temporarily cut off if wind speed of Cyclone Fani touches 50 kmph; the power supply will be restored after detailed inspection and repair, if any, said Odisha Energy Secretary Hemant Sharma.
All GoAir flights in and out from Bhubaneswar Airport (BBI) stands cancelled for tomorrow (May 3).
Cyclone Fani is likely to make landfall anytime between 8 AM and 10 AM tomorrow (May 3). It is very likely to move north-northeastwards and cross Odisha Coast between Gopalpur and Chandbali, around Puri tomorrow the 3rd May forenoon with maximum sustained wind speed of 170-180 kmph gusting to 200 kmph. Landfall process is very likely to continue till noon/afternoon tomorrow (May 3).
All IndiGo flights in and out from Bhubaneswar Airport stand cancelled for May 3 in view of Cyclone Fani.
As per the data, 2.5 lakh people were evacuated by 2PM. Officials have been directed to ensure 100% evacuation in vulnerable areas by Thursday evening. Still 5.5 lakh will be evacuated in 13 districts of Odisha which are likely to be affected in Cyclone Fani.
After reviewing the emerging situation during a high-level meeting to review preparedness for cyclone Fani, PM Modi has instructed senior officers of the Union Govt to maintain close coordination with officers of affected States, to ensure preventive measures, & also to take effective steps for relief and rescue operations, as required. The meeting was attended by Cabinet Secy, Principal Secy to the PM, Additional Principal Secy to the PM, the Home Secy & other senior officials from IMD, NDRF, NDMA & PMO.
Odisha government directs telecom operators like BSNL, Vodafone, Jio to continue providing uninterrupted mobile network services even when the wind speed touches maximum 200 kmph during cyclone Fani.
Airport Authority of India has issued alert to all coastal airports to ensure that all precautions and SOPs are put in place immediately in view of cyclone Fani.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has reviewed preparations with secretaries of various departments at the State Secretariat. Energy, Health, Urban/Rural and Works department secretaries are present in the meeting.
Latest weather updates report that rain has begun in several districts including Gajapati, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur & also in the State capital Bhubaneswar.
South Eastern Railway: Two more special trains will start from Puri at 3 pm & 6 pm today for Howrah. Stoppages- Khurda Road, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Jajpur, Kendujhar road, Bhadrak, Balasore & Kharagpur.
Office of Special Relief Commissioner has informed that at least 25,000 people have been shifted to safer places by 10.30 AM today. Around 7 lakh people will be relocated in the wake of cyclone Fani. Over 3001 shelter homes have been created in different districts.
Intensity of extremely severe cyclonic storm 'Fani' is likely to be less than Phailin but more than that of Titli. It's intensity is quite similar to that of cyclone Hudhud, says Indian Meteorological Department ADG Mrityunjay Mohapatra.
24-member NDRF team reaches Astarang, 2 units of ODRAF reach Konark & Gop to evacuate people from low lying areas. 17 cyclone shelters have been prepared in Astarang while 28 shelters have been kept ready in Kakatpur in view of cyclone Fani.
"Our preparedness for cyclone Fani has reached final stages. Government's sole motto is zero casualty, so we had earlier issued advisory for tourists and made special arrangements for their departure. People have been alerted," informed Puri Collector Jyoti Prakash Das.
With cyclone Fani inching closer towards Odisha coast, Ziqitza Healthcare Ltd, an agency responsible for 108 and 102 ambulance operation in Odisha has put its employees on high alert to handle any emergency situation. It has taken a number of measures for smooth operation during and post cyclone storm.
The IMD has informed that storm surge of about 1.5 meter height above astronomical tide is very likely to inundate low lying areas of Ganjam, Khurda, Puri and Jagatsinghpur districts of Odisha at the time of landfall.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik advises people not to panic, says Odisha govt is fully prepared to tackle cyclone Fani. "Every life is precious for us...Have patience and cooperate," Patnaik stated through a press release.
IMD warns extensive damage to all types of kutcha houses, old badly managed Pucca structures, disruption of rail/road link at several places, damage to standing crops, plantations, orchards and alerts for potential threat from flying objects during cyclone Fani.
In view of the extremely severe cyclonic storm Fani, a special train will run from Puri to Shalimar in Kolkata today. The train will depart from Puri railway station at 12 noon. It will have both reserved and unreserved seats- General, Sleeper, 3A and 2A coaches- with stoppages at Khurda Road, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Jajpur Keonjhar Road, Bhadrak, Balasore and Kharagpur.
The train is expected to reach Bhubaneswar at around 1:30 pm today.
The Indian Meteorological Department has issued Red Warning for 17 districts (Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Balasore, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Angul, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj) on May 3 and 4.
Similarly, Orange Warning has been sounded for 7 districts (Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khurda, Koraput, Kandhamal and Rayagada) on May 2 & 3 and Yellow Warning has been issued for 4 districts (Boudh, Kandhamal, Sambalpur and Deogarh) on May 3 and 4.