Cyclone Fani makes landfall in Odisha in morning, over 1 million evacuated
Bhuvneshwar/Kolkata, May 3 (IBNS/UNI): After making landfall impact in Odisha on Friday morning, cyclonic storm Fani is moving north northeastwards and cross Odisha coast between Gopalpur and Chandbali close to Puri with maximum sustained wind speed of 170-180 kmph gusting to 200 kmph.
Heavy rainfall with wind speed reaching over 115 kmph started at several places in the coastal Odisha since early this morning with the MET department issuing red warning in as many as 17 districts in the state.
The sound and the fury : here's what the landfall at Puri by #CycloneFani actually looked like..
— PIB India (@PIB_India) May 3, 2019
Video by @PIBBhubaneswar pic.twitter.com/4GpvKFkRQ3
The Odisha government had already evacuated over a one million people from 14 districts before wee hours today and put them in over 4000 cyclone and other shelter homes.
"Extensive damage to structure of AIIMS Bhubaneswar reported due to #CycloneFani . All patients,staff, students safe.Many water tanks have blown off,lighting poles are down, airconditioners damaged. We have enough supplies, ready to support the state" - Health Secy Preeti Sudan pic.twitter.com/Me1WHqZimY
— Sitanshu Kar (@DG_PIB) May 3, 2019
The Ministry of Home Affairs has operationalised helpline number 1938 for cyclone Fani.
Heavy rainfall in West Bengal
After cloudy sky for last 24 hours, heavy rainfall started in West Bengal from Friday morning.
According to media reports, cyclone Fani is expected to hit the coastal areas of West Bengal in the evening.
Cancelling all her rallies for next 48 hours, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is monitoring the entire situation from Kharagpur.
She tweeted, "Have cancelled my rallies for the next 48 hours because of what could be an impending disaster #CyclonicStormFANI We are monitoring the situation 24x7 and doing all it takes. I appeal to all people to cooperate. Be alert, take care and stay safe for the next two days."
Have cancelled my rallies for the next 48 hours because of what could be an impending disaster #CyclonicStormFANI We are monitoring the situation 24x7 and doing all it takes. I appeal to all people to cooperate. Be alert, take care and stay safe for the next two days
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) May 3, 2019
Airports shut down
All fights operations to and from Bhubaneswar Airport have been shut since 12:01 am and will continue till 11:59 pm on Friday.
Kolkata Airport will remain shut from 3 pm on Friday till 8 am on Saturday due to cyclone Fani.
All trains to and from Odisha have also been cancelled.
Image Credit: Screenshot from PIB video
