Cyclone Fani Latest updates: Women in advanced stages of pregnancy shifted to hospitals in Odisha; Modi's Chaibasa rally postponed

Cyclone Fani latest update

Indian Navy releases photos of a warship deployed in the Bay of Bengal

Have a look at the roll being experienced by one of the ships deployed in the wake of #CycloneFani. Do notice the totally wet quarter deck..
.. Yes, its getting in and out of water view choppy seas around pic.twitter.com/RqZoDcBPDX

— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) May 2, 2019

Cyclone Fani latest update from Odisha

Over 1000 women in advanced stages of pregnancy shifted to hospitals

The Odisha government issued instructions to shift women in their advanced stage of pregnancy to nearby hospitals, as part of its evacuation drive in the coastal areas.

“More than 1000 pregnant women have been admitted in different hospitals. As Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had given specific instruction to take care of women, children and elderly persons during the storm, we shifted the pregnant women to hospitals on a priority basis,” Sangram Mohapatra, the spokesperson at the special relief commissioner’s office (SRC), said.

PTI

Cyclone Fani latest update from Jharkhand

Narendra Modi’s Chaibasa rally postponed

The election rally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Chaibasa on 5 May has been deferred by a day due to impending impact of the approaching cyclone Fani. (PTI)

Cyclone Fani latest update in Odisha

Control rooms opened

As the ’extremely severe’ cyclone Fani is all set to hit Odisha coast in the next few hours, the Odisha Government has opened a round-the-clock control room in all districts and at the state level too. For any kind of help, people can all on these numbers.
 

Departmental helpline numbers:

State EOD – 2534177/1070
Industries – 2535670
CE FC & BM LMB WR – 2395951/2395953
RD 2390921
F&ARD – 2531771
W&CD&MS – 2394810
ST&SC – 2536672/2322757
Home – 2322511
School&Mass Education – 2393531
BMC – 2431253
A&FRD – 2394907
Energy – 2391399

Districtwise control room numbers

Angul – 06764-230980
Balasore – 06782-262286/262647
Baragarh – 06646-232112
Bhadrak – 06784-251881
Bolangir – 06652-232452/230969
Boudh – 06841-222023
Cuttack – 0671-2507842, 9337419494
Deogarh – 06641-226843
Dhenkanal – 96762-226507,221376
Gajapati – 06815-222943
Ganjam – 06811-263978
Jagatsinghpur – 06724-220368
Jajpur – 06728-222648
Jharsuguda – 06645-272902/271692
Kalahandi – 06670-230455
Kandhamal – 06842-253650/255602
Kendrapara – 06727-232803
Keonjhar – 06766-255437
Khurda – 06755-220002
Koraput – 06852-251381
Malkangiri – 06861-230442/231372
Mayurbhanj – 06792-252759
Nawarangapur – 06858-222434
Nayagarh – 06753-252978
Naupada – 06678-225357
Puri – 06752-223237
Rayagada – 06856-224062,224082
Sambalpur – 0663-2412407
Subarnapur – 06654-220362
Sundargarh – 06622-272233

Input by Bibhuti Mohapatro

Cyclone Fani latest update from Odisha

Rayagada CDMO suspended

Odisha Government on Thursday suspended Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) of Rayagada Siva Prasad Padhi for dereliction of duty. The Health and Family Welfare Department has issued an order in this regard.

The government had cancelled holidays of all employees serving for emergency duty and asked employees who are in leave to join duty immediacy.

However, Padhi did not follow the order as a result he has been suspended, sources said. Padhi has been asked to stay at Rayagada headquarters.

Input by Bibhuti Mohapatro

Cyclone Fani latest update

IMD cautions not to be deceived by cyclone’s ‘calm’ eye

IMD has cautioned people to not lower guard after the first arm of Cyclone Fani hits the east coast and moves forward, bringing the eye of the storm into the focus which is very calm. As the eye inches forward, the very calmness brings further destruction as the second arm of the cyclone is equally violent.
 

An eye is the centre of a cyclone, which is calm, while the strong winds that circle it are known as the arms of the storm.
 

“There is a tendency to be complacent after the first arm of the cyclone moves ahead. The first arm brings destruction. The eye, which covers an area of 30-40 kilometres, is usually calm. But as the eye moves forward it is replaced by the second arm of the cyclone which is equally destructive,” Mritunjay Mohapatra, head of the cyclone warning division and additional director general of the India Meteorological Department, told PTI.

Cyclone Fani latest update from Odisha

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik reviews preparedness ahead of cyclone

CMO Odisha: CM Naveen Patnaik visited Special Relief Organisation office to review preparedness, and appealed to people to remain indoors until #CycloneFani passes & advised all officials to make their best efforts to face the cyclone. pic.twitter.com/wfZGPw0adD

— ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2019

Cyclone Fani latest update from Odisha

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik reviews preparedness ahead of cyclone

CMO Odisha: CM Naveen Patnaik visited Special Relief Organisation office to review preparedness, and appealed to people to remain indoors until #CycloneFani passes & advised all officials to make their best efforts to face the cyclone. pic.twitter.com/wfZGPw0adD

— ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2019

Cyclone Fani latest update

223 trains cancelled along Kolkata-Chennai route

As many as 223 trains along the Odisha coastline in the Kolkata-Chennai route have been cancelled in view of cyclone Fani which is likely to hit the eastern state by 3 May. These include 140 Mail/Express trains and 83 passenger trains.

PTI

Cyclone Fani latest update from Odisha

Villagers of Chandrabhaga fishing village arrive to take shelter at a government run school building after they were evacuated by the authorities in Puri district in Odisha.

Image courtesy: AP

Cyclone Fani latest update from West Bengal

Administration asked to ensure tourists leave vulnerable areas

Purba Medinipur District Administration directs Sub Divisional Officer of Contai to take immediate measures to ensure that all tourists leave Digha, Mandarmani, Sankarpur, Tajpur and other tourist spots to avoid any untoward incident due to Cyclone Fani.

ANI

Cyclone Fani latest update in Odisha

Odisha Special Relief Commissioner issues list of damages expected following cyclone

1. Extensive damage to all types of kutcha houses, some damage to old badly managed pucca structures. Potential threat from flying objects.
2. Extensive uprooting of communication and power poles.
3. Disruption of rail/ road link at several places.
4. Extensive damage to standing crops, plantations, orchards.
5. Blowing down of palm and coconut trees.
6. Uprooting of large bushy trees.
7. Large boats and ships may get torn from their moorings.

Input by Bibhuti Mohapatro

Cyclone Fani latest update from Odisha

Around 10,000 villages, 52 towns to be hit by storm

An estimated 10,000 villages and 52 towns in Odisha will be hit by the ’extremely severe’ cyclonic storm Fani. A total of 11.5 lakh people in Odisha will have to be moved to safer areas. Of them about 3.3 lakh people have already been shifted.

The storm is likely to impact Odisha’s coastal districts Ganjam, Gajapati, Khurda, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Jajpur and Balasore. In West Bengal, it will affect districts of Kolkata, East and West Medinipur, South and North 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hoogly, Jhargram. In Andhra Pradesh, the cyclone is likely to hit Srikakulam, Vijayanagram and Visakhapatnam districts.

IMD has warned of storm surge of about 1.5 metre height which may inundate low-lying coastal areas of Ganjam, Khurda, Puri and Jagatsinghpur districts of Odisha.

PTI

Cyclone Fani latest update from West Bengal

Cricket Association of Bengal postpones matches between 3 to 6 May

The Cricket Association of Bengal postponed all the local matches till Monday following the Cyclone Fani alert.  “This is to inform all concerned that cricket matches of this Association scheduled to be held from 3 to 6 May are hereby postponed owing to cyclonic storm ‘Fani’ as forecasted by the Metrological department, Kolkata. The revised dates of such postponed matches would be intimated in due course,” read a statement from the CAB accessed any PTI.

This will mean that CAB U-18 club, first and second division championship playoff games, one-day knockout, women’s T20 semifinals and university matches will be deferred. The matches will resume after the Monday which is an election day, CAB joint-secretary Avishek Dalmiya said.

Cyclone Fani latest update from Andhra Pradesh

Two rehabilitation centres set up in Srirakulam; CM asks officials to act on lines of orders passed during Cyclone Titli

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu conducted a review meeting with the officials in view of the cyclone. He asked officials to take all precautionary steps to prevent both human and property loss during the period of cyclone landfall.

Naidu said, “The GOs issued during Titli cyclone is enough to carry out relief operations. People should not be inconvenienced at any cost. The state government acted effectively during Titli cyclone using satellite services. The power supply was restored in record time by erecting nearly 40,000 electric poles,” Naidu added.

The state government set up two rehabilitation centres in the coastal areas of Srikakulam district, which is on red alert. Two rehabilitation centres have been set up in Iddivanipeta, a coastal village in Kaviti mandala. Almost 4000 villagers are provided shelter in these two centres.

ANI

Cyclone Fani latest update

Coast Guard units in Odisha, West Bengal on alert

“All coast guard units in Odisha and West Bengal are fully prepared for the situation arising out of the landfall of Cyclone Fani. Disaster relief teams have been formed along the Odisha and West Bengal coast which would be providing relief assistance,” Rajan Bargotra, Commander, Coast Guard Region (NE) told ANI.

Cyclone Fani latest update

The Ministry of Railways has released helpline numbers at eight places for people affected by Cyclone Fani

RAILWAYS HELPLINE NUMBERS DURING ORISSA CYCLONE FANI pic.twitter.com/tdh1yBwlbM

— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) May 2, 2019

Cyclone Fani latest update

Bangladesh orders mass evacuation in 19 coastal districts as cyclone ‘Fani’ moves closer

The Bangladesh government on Thursday issued mass evacuation orders in 19 coastal districts to prevent casualties as meteorologists predicted cyclonic storm ‘Fani’ to make landfall on Friday after hitting Indian coastlines.

The armed forces were also kept ready for disaster operations.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has classified ‘Fani’ as an “extremely severe cyclonic storm”.

“Directives have been issued asking the administrations of 19 districts in the coastlines to start evacuating people to safe shelters from 10 am tomorrow (Friday),” disaster management ministry’s senior secretary Shah Kamal told a news briefing.

Residents from the 19 districts will be shifted to over 4,000 shelters erected along the coastlines, while the local authorities took possession of safe installations like schools to be used as shelters, if required, he said.

PTI

Cyclone Fani latest update

Storm is 160 km east of Vizag, says Navy

According to the official handle of the Navy Spokesperson, the Cyclone Fani is 160 km East of Vizag, and “has moved in a NNE direction with a speed of 08 kn in last two hours.”

Cyclone Fani latest update

Indian Navy deploys seven warships in Bay of Bengal; helicopters, fixed wing aircraft kept on standby

The Indian Navy has deployed seven warships – three following the eye of the storm and four off the Tamil Nadu coast – and seven helicopters on standby at the INS Dega Vizag along with divers, rubberised crafts, medical teams and Humanitarian Aid Distress Relief (HADR) material. Six fixed wing aircraft have also been kept ready to be pressed into service, if required, the Navy Spokesperson tweeted.

Cyclone Fani latest update

Indian Navy shares a video of the cyclonic storm system on their Twitter account

Have a look at the system. Video courtesy https://t.co/oRhiwPLN3U pic.twitter.com/zAhvolrEF2

— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) May 2, 2019

Cyclone Fani latest update from Odisha

Massive evacuation on in Odisha as cyclone Fani nears coast

A massive exodus was under way in coastal Odisha as hundreds of thousands of people left their homes in probably the largest evacuation ahead of the Cyclone Fani. Over 11.5 lakh people in vulnerable, low lying areas of 13 districts are being shifted to cyclone shelters and other safe houses, in arguably the largest evacuation ever before an impending natural calamity, officials told PTI.

Nearly 3.5 lakh people have already been evacuated to safety, official sources said. “Evacuation is in progress on a war-footing. Around 30 per cent of the targeted people have so far been moved to safe places,” said a senior official.

Arrangements have been made to start free kitchens to provide cooked food to the evacuees. Over one lakh dry food packets have been kept ready for air dropping, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) BP Sethi said.

Cyclone Fani latest update from West Bengal

No flight will depart or arrive at Kolkata airport between 9.30 pm on 3 May and 6 pm on 4 May, reported PTI.

Cyclone Fani latest update from Odisha

Air India announced on Twitter that no penalties for “re-issuance, date change, no-show, cancellation and refund” would be charged if the passenger is travelling to and from Bhubaneswar and Vishakhapatnam between 3 and 5 May.

Cyclone Fani latest update

Around 102 trains cancelled in view of Cyclone Fani

The Railways said around 102 trains have been cancelled in the last two days in view of Cyclone Fani. 81 trains were cancelled till Wednesday. The trains which have been cancelled include the Howrah-Chennai Central Coromandal Express, Patna-Eranakulam Express, New Delhi-Bhubaneswar Rajdhani Express, Howrah-Hyderabad East Coast Express and the Bhubaneswar-Rameswaram Express.

The New Delhi-Bhubaneswar Rajdhani Express, New Delhi-Puri Nandan Kanan Express, Puri-New Delhi Purushottam Express and the New Delhi-Puri Purushottam Express which had to begin their journeys Thursday have been cancelled as well. The Railways has also cancelled six more trains which were to begin on Friday, including the Bhubaneswar-New Delhi Rajdhani Express and the Puri-New Delhi Nandan Kanan Express.

PTI

Cyclone Fani latest update

• Airport authorities suspended 11 flight services operating via Visakhapatnam.
• Railways cancelled 73 train services passing through Srikakulam, Railway officials said.
• Model code cast a shadow over Fani relief operations. AP Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said he was not allowed by the Election Commission to take up official reviews on cyclone relief measures.

Inputs from Gali Nagaraja

Cyclone Fani latest update from West Bengal

Yellow alert in West Bengal; several trains cancelled

IMD issued a “Yellow Alert " warning for Odisha, West Bengal and in three districts of Andhra Pradesh. In a special bulletin issued today, the weather department has predicted total destruction of thatched houses and extensive damage to kutcha (mud) houses and some damage to pucca (permanent) houses. There is also a potential threat from flying objects.

The entire state of West Bengal, especially the coastal regions of Medinipur district which faces the Bay of Bengal is under threat. Several trains have been cancelled as very heavy rainfall is expected. East and West Medinipur, Jhargram, South and North 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hooghly and Kolkata are under high alert.

ANI

Cyclone Fani latest update from Andhra Pradesh

Red alert in Srirakulam till Friday, very to very heavy rainfall warning continues

The red alert sounded in Srikakulam district will continue till Friday as gales with a velocity of 140 kmph are expected. The adjoining Vizianagaram district is expected to witness gales with a speed of 90-100 kmph, the release said. The very heavy to heavy rainfall warning in these two districts also remained, according to the RTGC that is closely tracking Fani’s movement, reported PTI.

On the instructions of the Central government, the Andhra Pradesh government was dispatching water sachets and chlorine tablets in large quantities to Odisha to meet emergency requirements, it said.

Cyclone Fani update from Odisha

No flights will take off from midnight today for the next 24 hours from the Bhubaneswar airport.

Cyclone Fani latest update

81 teams NDRF comprising over 4,000 personnel deployed

Over 4,000 specialised personnel as part of 81 NDRF teams have been deployed to deal with the ’extremely severe’ cyclone Fani which is likely to affect Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal upon its landfall on Friday.​

NDRF chief SN Pradhan told PTI that about 50 teams have been pre-positioned in the coastal areas of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal while another 31 teams have been kept on standby. Twenty-eight fully equipped teams have been deployed in and around Puri. NDRF teams have also been kept on alert in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Similarly, 12 teams have been deployed in Andhra Pradesh and six in West Bengal. The rest of the teams, that comprise about 50 personnel each, have been kept on standby in these states. The teams have been equipped with additional boats, satellite phones, medical equipment, medicines, tree cutters, pickup and common mobility vehicles, and other gadgets, he said. A round-the-clock control room has been established.

The NDRF teams have doctors, paramedics, engineers, deep divers and are equipped with boats, buoys, life jackets, scuba sets and latest communication equipment.

PTI

Cyclone Fani latest update

Union Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu said, “All airlines are requested to offer all assistance for rescue and relief operations in view of Cyclone Fani. All relief material should be airlifted to be delivered to officially designated agencies. A control room is being set up for this purpose.”

ANI

Cyclone Fani latest update in Andhra Pradesh​

Chandrababu Naidu seeks poll code exemption in state ahead of cyclone​

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said that he would visit the cyclone-affected regions in the state, if necessary. He has sought exemption from the Model Code of Conduct in the state to monitor the situation during Cyclone Fani, ANI reported.

Cyclone Fani latest update from Odisha

Volunteers and workers are preparing relief material packets at Red Cross Bhavan in Bhubaneswar.

Odisha: Preparation underway at Red Cross Bhavan in Bhubaneswar for distribution of relief material packets. #CycloneFani pic.twitter.com/NNe3RJhzYc

— ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2019

Cyclone Fani latest update

Cyclone’s landing process to continue till afternoon; storm to enter Bangladesh on 4 May

Cyclone Fani will make a landfall around Puri during forenoon on 3 May with a speed of 170-180 kmph gusting to 200 kmph. Landing process is likely to continue till afternoon, the NDMA said through a Twitter post.

The storm is likely to enter West Bengal as a ‘Severe Cyclonic Storm’ of 90-100 kmph gusting to 115 kmph. It is likely to emerge into Bangladesh on the evening of 4 May evening as a ‘Cyclonic Storm’ with a wind speed 60-70 kmph gusting to 80 kmph.

Earlier, Sangram Mohapatra, spokesperson of Odisha State Disaster Management Authority, had told ANI that the Fani’s landfall is now expected between 12 noon and 2 pm, instead of the earlier estimate of 5.30 pm. “All colleges and soft business establishments will be closed tomorrow,” he said

Cyclone Fani latest update

NASA’a Aqua, Terra satellites track Cyclone Fani; capture visible image of storm

NASA’s satellites Aqua and Terra tracked Cyclone Fani as it continued to move northward along the eastern coast of India. The satellites have been providing infrared, microwave and visible imagery of Fani.

On 30 April at 3:35 am EDT, the Aqua satellite found cloud top temperatures of strongest thunderstorms as cold as or colder than minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 53 degrees Celsius) circling the centre and in a large band east of the centre. Cloud top temperatures indicate strong storms that have the capability to create heavy rain.

On 1 May, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument aboard Terra provided a visible image of Fani. Fani’s center appeared to have an eye obscured by high clouds. Infrared imagery revealed that ragged eye and microwave imagery showed curved bands of thunderstorms wrapping into the eye.

Cyclone Fani latest update

GoAir waives off cancellation fee for flights to and from Kolkata, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar

GoAir said it will not charge any fee for a rescheduling or cancellations for its flights to and from Bhubaneswar, Kolkata and Ranchi between 2 and 5 May, due to the cyclone Fani.

Cyclone Fani latest update

Indian Railways announces three special trains to ferry passengers from affected areas

A special train has been started from Puri at 12 noon, going towards Shalimar in Kolkata. The train has reserved as well as unreserved accommodation. It will stop at Khurda Road, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Jajpur, Kendujhar Road, Bhadrak, Baleswar and Kharagpur. The other two special trains will ferry passengers from Puri to Howrah.

The national carrier was also directed to make available dry food items, ‘janata khana’ and water bottles in sufficient quantity at catering stalls of all major stations

Cyclone Fani latest update

Indigo, GoAir cancel flights

Indigo cancels flights to and from Visakhapatnam and Bhubaneswar on Thursday. All GoAir flights to and from from Bhubaneswar will remain cancelled on 3 May.

Cyclone Fani latest update

NDRF stations teams along coast, flood prone areas of seven states

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has pre-positioned 54 of its rescue and relief teams along the coast and in flood-prone areas of Andhra Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Jharkhand, Kerala, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, reported ANI.

Cyclone Fani latest update

NDRF teams carried acitivties to spread awareness at Jhargram and Purb Medinipur in West Bengal. Meanwhile, evacuation and awareness drills were carried out at Sariapalli, Mandal, Palasa in Orissa

#CycloneFani#NDRF teams spread awareness and warning at Jhargram and Purb Medinipur, West Bengal#BeAlert #StaySafe#DontPanic pic.twitter.com/3htCPWf9dN

— NDRF 🇮🇳 (@NDRFHQ) May 2, 2019

Cyclone Fani latest update

AAI issues alert to all coastal airports, directs that precautions, SOPs be put in place

The Airport authority of India (AAI) has issue alerts to all coastal airports, asking that all precautions and standard operating procedures be put into place immediately in view of Cyclone Fani. “Situation will be monitored at the highest level. Airlines and all others to be fully ready,” tweeted Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu. He also said that all concerned authorities are on alert.

Cyclone Fani latest update from Odisha

Announcements were made warning people at Puri Beach against venturing into the sea as Cyclone Fani is set to make landfall on 3 May

Odisha: People at Puri beach being warned against venturing into the sea as #CycloneFani is expected to make landfall in Puri district tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/HJXGhbFwQl

— ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2019

‘Prepared to provide all central assistance’: PM reviews preparedness before Odisha’s second most dangerous cyclone in two decades makes landfall

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meet before Odisha’s second most dangerous cyclone in two decades makes landfall. He assured all states expected to get affected to complete assistance. 

Chaired a high level meeting to review the preparedness relating to Cyclone Fani. The Central Government is ready to provide all possible assistance that would be required.

Prayers for the safety and well-being of our citizens. pic.twitter.com/GLoCzmV1io

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 2, 2019

Cyclone Fani raises safety concerns about spotted deer in Balukhand sanctuary

Concerns have been raised by a senior wildlife official on the safety of spotted deer in​ Balukhand sanctuary, in view of the likely landfall of Cyclone​ Fani close to the place on Friday. 

The sanctuary is located along the Bay of Bengal coast, between the towns of Puri and Konark in Odisha. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) AK​ Mohapatra told PTI, the fate of about 3,000 spotted deer in the sanctuary has become uncertain as wild animals cannot be shifted to safe places like human beings.

Narendra Modi chairs high level meet, reviews preparedness before cyclonic storm makes landfall

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today chaired a high-level meeting to review preparedness for Cyclone Fani. The meeting was attended by Cabinet Secretary, Principal Secretary to the prime minister, Additional Principal Secretary to the PM, the Home Secretary and other senior officials from IMD, NDRF, NDMA and PMO.

Air Vistara waives off cancellation and change fee for flights to Kolkata, Bhubaneswar 

Premium airline Vistara is offering change and cancellation fee for Bhubaneswar and Kolkata flights for travel between 2 May, 2019, and 5 May, 2018.

ONGC evacuates nearly 500 employees

India’s biggest oil and gas producer ONGC has evacuated close to 500 of its employees from offshore installations in the Bay of Bengal and moved drilling rigs to safer locations ahead of an impending cyclone that is expected to make landfall on Friday.

India’s eastern coast is dotted with oil and gas installations including three refineries and numerous rigs and offshore platforms that are used to explore and produce oil and gas.

Sources privy to the development said while operations at Paradip port in Odisha and Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh have been shut and ships have been ordered to move out to sea to avoid damage, the refineries are operating but with all precautions in place.

Cyclone Fani latest update from Odisha

State engaged in preparations at a war footing; salient points at a glance

• 25,425 people have been evacuated to safest place by 11 am
• 3001 cyclone shelter homes have been arranged.
• Total 7.5 lakh people will be evacuated by evening.
• 70 top officials have been engaged for the situation in 9 districts.
• Food, water and health assistance will be available in shelter homes.
• 18 ODRAF and 525 fire teams are ready to combat the situation.
• 25 NDRF teams have been engaged.
• Wind Speed will be between 170 to 200 kmph in Ganjam, Jagatsingpur, Puri and Kendrapada
• Wind Speed will be between 90 to 115 Kmph in Gajapati, Khurdha, Cutack, Bhubaneswar, Jajpur, Bjhadrak, and Balsore
• Heavy rain likely in Ganjam, Puri, Jagatsingpur, Kendrapda

Cyclone Fani latest update from Odisha, Andhra Pradesh

Flood risk highest in Srikakulam, Brahmapur

The flood risk is highest in Srikakulam (AP) and Brahmapur (Odisha), and is also relatively high in Visakhapatnam (AP), Rayagada, Bhanjanagar, Phulabani, Angul, Bhuban, Bhubaneshwar, and Paradwip (Odisha),  Weather.com  reported.

Cyclone Fani latest update from Visakhapatnam  

Speedy winds, heavy rains in Visakhapatnam

The Cyclone Fani effect is severely seen in Visakhapatnam. With the speedy winds reaching 90 to 110 kmph, the city awoke to strong winds and the weather worsened during the day. Due to heavy rains and winds, the trees and electric poles have broken down and power supply has been interrupted in many places in the district.

Cyclone Fani latest update from Odisha

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik asks district administration to expedite evacuation

Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik has directed collectors of Puri, Khurdha Jagatsingpur, Kendrapara Ganjam, Gajapati and Cuttack to expedite evacuation in the low line areas. “We are fully prepared, there is no need for fear or panic,” the chief minister tweeted. 

ସମ୍ଭାବ୍ୟ ବାତ୍ୟା 'ଫନୀ' ନେଇ ଭୟଭୀତ ହୁଅନ୍ତୁ ନାହିଁ। ବାତ୍ୟାର ମୁକାବିଲା ପାଇଁ ସରକାର ପୁରା ପ୍ରସ୍ତୁତ ଅଛନ୍ତି। ପ୍ରତିଟି ଜୀବନ ଆମ ପାଇଁ ମୂଲ୍ୟବାନ। ମହିଳା, ଶିଶୁ, ବୃଦ୍ଧବୃଦ୍ଧା ଓ ଭିନ୍ନକ୍ଷମମାନଙ୍କୁ ସ୍ୱତନ୍ତ୍ର ଦେଖାଶୁଣା କରନ୍ତୁ। ଶାନ୍ତ ରୁହନ୍ତୁ, ସରକାରଙ୍କୁ ସହଯୋଗ କରନ୍ତୁ। #OdishaPrepared4Fani pic.twitter.com/wev9juMaTI

— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) May 2, 2019

Cyclone Fani latest update from Odisha

Odisha prepares on war footing as storm likely to hit coast tomorrow; 25,425 people evacuated till 11 am

A massive operation was launched in Odisha Thursday to evacuate over eight lakh people from low-lying coastal areas as the extremely severe cyclonic storm ‘Fani’ moved closer to the eastern coast, officials said.

As per the latest bulletin of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Fani lay centred over West Central Bay of Bengal about 430 km south-southwest of Puri in Odisha, 225 km south-southeast of Vishakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh and 650 km south-southwest of Digha in West Bengal.

Cyclone Fani Explained  

Indian Ocean helps us gauge global warming’s impact on cyclones

It is beyond doubt that tropical cyclones are responding to global warming and we can tell by the number of high-intensity cyclones which are intensifying more rapidly after forming and moving more slowly than before. The warming of the ocean, especially deeper below the surface, means that cyclones are also receiving more energy in terms of moisture, which packs a punch in these cyclones. 

Over the last few decades, high-intensity storms with a greater than 95 knot mean sustained winds have shown a clear increase while those above mean sustained winds of 63 knots do not show much of an increase. This is consistent with global warming – the total number of cyclones will not necessarily increase but the number of high-intensity storms will increase. This is because of a warmer atmosphere with a higher moisture-holding capacity as well as the warmer upper ocean with an increased capacity of the fuel tank.
 

Cyclone Fani latest update from Andhra Pradesh

As cyclone Fani approaches, RTGS warns against selfies near the sea

With the extremely severe cyclonic storm Fani expected to bring heavy rainfall to Andhra Pradesh, particularly the north coastal districts, the Real-Time Governance Society (RTGS) has warned fishermen against venturing into the sea, which is expected to be very rough.

In its cyclone warning, the RTGS also cautioned the general public to stay away from the sea and desist from taking selfies. A storm surge of 1.5 metres above the astronomical tide has been forecast by the India Meteorological Department (IMD),  The Hindu  reported.

Puri-based sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik makes new art to create awareness 

Appeal to all Don’t Panic! Stay safe and help each other during #CycloneFani . my sand art at #Puri beach in #Odisha . pic.twitter.com/2QWQV9iFMa

— Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) May 2, 2019

Cyclone Fani latest update from Odisha

8 lakh to be evacuated in Odisha

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday said that about eight lakh people would be evacuated in view of “extremely severe” cyclonic storm Fani, which is likely to hit the coast in Puri on 3 May afternoon.

Chairing a high-level review meeting, he directed to ensure 100 per cent evacuation in the vulnerable areas as every life is precious, and set the goal to achieve zero-casualty.

He said about eight lakh people would be evacuated to safer places by Thursday evening.

Storm to hit Odisha coast between Gopalpur-Chandbali tomorrow noon; wind speed may cross 200 kmph

IMD predicts that Cyclone Fani is likely to move north-northeastwards and cross Odisha coast between Gopalpur and Chandbali around puri by 3rd May afternoon with maximum sustained wind speed of 170-180 kmph gusting to 200 kmph.

Cyclone Fani latest update from Odisha

Help desks set up at Puri, Bhubaneswar railway stations to help passangers with travel plans 

@RailMinIndia @eastcoastrail
Help desks in Puri and Bhubaneswar to guide the passengers to avail the special trains and for other information. @drmsambalpur @drmwat_ecor pic.twitter.com/GWXLRlqWWZ

— DRM KhurdaRoad (@DRMKhurdaRoad) May 2, 2019

Cyclone Fani latest update

Railways to run two more special trains to evacuate people; halts include Bhubaneswar, Howrah

Two more special trains will start from Puri at 3 pm and 6 pm today for Howrah, South Eastern Railway said. The trains will halt at Khurda Road, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Jajpur, Kendujhar road, Bhadrak, Balasore and Kharagpur.

Cyclone Fani latest update from Odisha, Andhra Pradesh

IMD warns of gale wind off West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coasts

Squally wind speed reaching 40-50 kilometre per hour gusting to 60 kilometre per hour is very likely along and off north Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and along and off West Bengal coasts. It is likely to become gale wind speed reaching 60-70 kilometre per hour gusting to 80 kilometre per hour from today night along and off north Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coasts.

Cyclone Fani latest update from Odisha, Andhra Pradesh

Heavy rainfall warning in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha

The Indian Metorological Department has forewarned of heavy rainfall at isolated places very likely over north coastal Andhra Pradesh and heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places over south coastal Odisha. 

Andhra’s Visakhapatnam, Vijayanagaram and Srikakulam towns are most likely to recieve heavy rainfall.

Cyclone Fani is expected to make landfall in south of Puri

After moving  in the Northwest direction, Cyclone Fani is now recurving Northeast and moving parallel to the coast of Vishakapatnam. The cyclonic storm is 220 kilometres away from Vishakapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) 430 kilometres from Puri, Odisha. 

Cyclone Fani is expected to make landfall in south of Puri. It will be bringing in heavy showers to Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal over the weekend. The intensity of the cyclone will be 170-180 gusting to 200 at the time of landfall.

Puri’s Jagannath temple replaces flag to sound alert

Bracing up for the impending storm. the Sri Jagannath Temple in Puri replaced the 15-feet-long Patitapabana Bana, or holy flag atop the temple with a four-feet-long variant to signify that the state should prepare for the cyclone. For Puri in Odisha, it was among the first signs of the town bracing for Cyclone Fani, which is expected to make landfall Friday,  The Indian Express  reported.

Everyday a new flag measuring 20 feet and triangular in shape is tied to the Lord Vishnu Chakra or Neel Chakra but on Thursday, a timely decision was taken to replace it with a smaller flag for safety of Nilachakra (blue wheel made of metals).

Tourists advised to leave coastal Odisha towns by today; Railways to run a special train at 12 pm

A special train with reserved and unreserved berths will start from Puri at 12 pm today and go towards Shalimar. It will halt at Khurda Road, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Jajpur, Kendujhar road, Bhadrak, Balasore and Kharagpur stations. The train will reach Bhubaneswar at about 1:30 pm. The Odisha government has advised tourists to leave the seaside pilgrim town of Puri by Thursday, a senior official said.

Armed forces on alert as Odisha braces for cyclonic storm Fani

India asked its ships and military units to prepare for ‘Fani’, a cyclone that’s barreling towards the country’s eastern coast and may hit four states tomorrow. 

National Disaster Response Force team on their way to Kathmandu for the rescue operations, at NSCBI Airport in Kolkata National Disaster Response Force team on their way to Kathmandu for the rescue operations, at NSCBI Airport in Kolkata y hit four states. 

“The Indian Coast Guard and the Indian Navy have deployed ships and helicopters for relief and rescue operations. The Indian Army and the Indian Air Force units in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal have also been put on standby,” a Home Ministry official said.

Indian Naval ships at Visakhapatnam and Chennai are standing-by to proceed to the most affected areas to undertake Humanitarian Aid Distress Relief (HADR), evacuation, logistic support including providing medical aid, the Navy said in a statement.

81 trains cancelled, 2 diverted ahead of cyclonic storm’s arrival 

Railways has cancelled 81 trains and diverted two more in view of cyclone “Fani”, which is likely to affect 19 districts of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal, besides Kolkata.

The railways said that it will grant full refund to passengers for the cancelled or diverted trains if the tickets are produced for cancellation within three days from scheduled date of journey.

Some of the trains which have been cancelled include Howrah-Chennai Central Coromandal Express, Patna-Eranakulam Express, New Delhi-Bhubaneswar Rajdhani Express, Howrah-Hyderabad East Coast Express, Bhubaneswar-Rameswaram Express.

Cyclone Fani about 500 kms from Odisha: IMD 
 

Cyclone Fani, which has turned into an “extreme severe cyclonic” storm, is about 540 kilometre from the Odisha coast, the India Meteorological Department or IMD said in an early morning tweet. The cyclonic storm is moving northwards with a speed of 5 kilometres per hour in last six hours and is likely to make landfall at Odisha coast between Gopalpur and Chandbali, on 3 May with wind speed of up to 200 km per hour.