Cyclone Fani Updates: Kolkata airport operational as planes take off and land; Air India extends free service for delivery of relief material

Cyclone Fani weakens into ‘deep depression’ and centres over Bangladesh

The IMD tweeted that Cyclone Fani has weakened into a deep depression and has moved further towards Bangladesh. A tweet said, “The Cyclone ‘FANI’ over Gangetic West Bengal moved further east-northeastwards & weakened into a Deep Depression, lay centred at 0830 hrs IST over Bangladesh near lat 23.6°N & long 88.8°E.  It is very likely to move northeastwards, weaken further into a Depression during next 06 hrs.”

Buildings damaged by Cyclone Fani in Kharagpur

A lot of buildings were damaged in Ramnagar’s Block number 1 in East Midnapore’s Kharagpur. Affected people have been taken to shelter homes by the administration.

Input by A Ghose

Buildings damaged by Cyclone Fani in Kharagpur

After wreaking havoc in Odisha, Cyclone Fani created a lot of destruction in various parts of West Bengal. A lot of buildings were damaged in Ramnagar’s Block number 1 in East Midnapore’s Kharagpur. Affected people have been taken to shelter homes by the administration.

Input by A Ghose

Residents resort to government shelters in Midnapore 

Cyclone Fani has left a trail of destruction to life and property as the storm moved from Odisha to West Bengal on Friday and Saturday. The storm caused the collapse of several structures, specifically in East Midnapore’s Kharagpur. Residents have been shifted to the government shelter. A number of trees have also gotten uprooted in the wee hours on Saturday.

Input by A Ghose

Kolkata airport resumes operations

The Kolkata airport is currently operational, reports said. The first departure that took off around 10.30 is of AI723 for Bagdogra and first arrival GoAir 101 Delhi to Kolkata landed around the same time.

Bangladeshi authorities say 4,00,000 people have been shifted to shelters

Around 400,000 people have been taken to shelters, Bangladeshi officials told AFP on Saturday, as Cyclone Fani headed towards the country. The storm is expected to weaken into a ‘deep depression’ by noon.

Cyclone Fani no more a threat for West Bengal, say reports

As Cyclone Fani moves toward Bangladesh, state governments and the Centre are taking stock of the damage in the wake of the storm. In West Bengal, Digha was reportedly expected to face a major impact of the cyclone. However, the situation seemed to be calm on Saturday morning despite heavy rainfall at night.

The MET department in Alipore was quoted by reports as saying that there was no more threat from this Cyclone Fani for West Bengal, as it is heading towards Bangladesh.

Narendra Modi to visit Odisha on 6 May

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he is planning to visit Odisha to take stock of the situation in the wake of Cyclone Fani on 6 May, Monday. It also happens to be the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha eleciton.

Effects of Cyclone Fani felt at Everest Base Camp

The winds were felt as far away as Mount Everest, with tents blown away at Camp 2 at 6,400 metres (21,000 feet) and Nepali authorities cautioning helicopters against flying.

The Nepali government issued a warning that heavy snowfall was expected in the higher mountain areas with rain and storms lower down, and asked trekking agencies to take tourists to safety.

Hundreds of climbers, their guides, cooks, and porters huddled at the Everest base camp, according to Pemba Sherpa of Xtreme Climbers Trek, who said weather and visibility were poor. May is the best month to climb the 8,850-foot Everest when Nepal experiences a few windows of good weather to scale the peak.

“It is still the beginning of the month, so there is no reason for climbers to worry” that weather from the cyclone will cost them their chance to reach the summit, Sherpa said.

(AFP and AP)

Bhubaneshwar airport to resume operations by 1 pm today

Equipment at Bhubaneswar airport has been significantly damaged but flight operations are expected to begin by 1 pm on Saturday, the civil aviation ministry said in a statement on Friday.

“The passenger terminal building at Bhubaneswar has been considerably damaged, particularly at the rooftop and facades… Based on the feedback and action taken, it was decided that Bhubaneswar will resume commercial flight operations with effect from 1300 IST on May 4, 2019,” the statement said.

As the rooftop of the Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower has been blown away, affecting very high frequency (VHF) antennas at the rooftop, the ministry said that alternate ATC arrangements have been made at the airport.

“There is also considerable damage to the perimeter wall of operational area to the extent of 600 metres at various places. Adequate security arrangements have been made to address the issue,” the ministry said.

Jharkhand govt asks officials to be prepared for aftermath of Cyclone Fani

The Jharkhand government issued an advisory on 3 May, asking all district deputy commissioners to set up control rooms to meet any exigency in the wake of the cyclonic storm ‘Fani’.

An official release, quoting the regional meteorological department, said from the afternoon of 3 May to 4 May, widespread rains accompanied by strong winds will occur in all the 24 districts of the state.

(PTI)

Visuals from Jagatsinghpur in Odisha

In Odisha, damage was caused to life and property as Cyclone Fani barreled into the state on Friday.

Air India to resume operations at Kolkata airport at 09.45 am

Air India is likely to resume operations at Kolkata airport soon, ANI reported.

Cyclone Fani approaches Murshidabad in West Bengal

Cyclone Fani is approaching Nadia and Murshidabad in West Bengal, and is expected to enter Bangladesh by the end of the day. Kolkata was not very affected by the storm.

Both 24 Parganas (North and South), Arambagh, Hooghly and Howrah areas got heavy rainfall due to Fani, and East Medinipur, Nandkumar areas Kumarwara witnessed strong winds and a few houses were affected.

Input by A Ghose

Narendra Modi speaks to Odisha governor

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that he had discussed the aftermath of Cyclone Fani in Odisha with the state’s governor, Ganeshi Lal. He said, “Assured all possible help from the Centre to the sisters and brothers of Odisha, who are showing exemplary courage in the face of a natural disaster.”

Air India extends services for relief material free of cost

Air India has offered to deliver relief material to affected areas in Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu free of cost, NDTV reported.

WATCH: Aerial view of inundation around Puri after Cyclone Fani

Cyclone Fani left extensive damage in Odisha’s Puri district when it made landfall on Friday morning. The cyclone moved into West Bengal via Kharagpur early on Saturday morning, after leaving eight people dead in Odisha.

Road-clearing being undertaken in Digha

Cyclone Fani hit West Bengal early on Saturday morning after leaving eight dead in Odisha. In Digha, authorities undertook clearing trees from the road as the weather cleared in the area.

Cyclone to move into Bangladesh by noon

Cyclone Fani, one of the worst storms to hit the Indian subcontinent, is likely to weaken into a deep depression and move into Bangladesh by noon, the IMD said.

Cyclone Fani weakens to ‘cyclonic storm’, around 60 kilometres away from Kolkata

The Indian Meteorological Department on Saturday morning said that the cyclone has weakened into a ‘cyclonic storm’ and is centered 60 kilometres north-west of West Bengal’s capital, Kolkata.

NSUI asks to postpone NEET in view of Cyclone Fani having affected several states

The National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) Goa President, Ahraz Mulla has written a letter to the President, Prime Minister and Union HRD Ministry requesting them to postpone NEET exam, in view of difficulties faced by students due to cyclone ‘Fani’ in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.

“NEET exam for medical entrance needs a lot of concentration and dedication with the preparation of at least 2 years. The cyclone FANI that has reached the coastal belt of East India has created destruction, with no power supply and other unavailability of other basic needs,” the letter reads.

“The students have dedicated 2 years to clear this test, but due to the cyclone it would not be right to conduct this test for the entire country considering the fact that it is an All India Exam with admission based on merit,” the letter further stated.

Civic authorities and disaster management groups in Kolkata on high alert

Civic authorities and disaster management groups in Kolkata have been on alert in different wards since Friday. However, Kolkata experienced waterlogging, collapsing trees, which prompted civic authorities to immediately clear roads and press emergency services into action.

Corporation and booth level areas were monitoring closely and night shelters were kept ready on Friday night. An NDRF team working to clear the uprooted trees. No such casualties in West Bengal as of now. 

Input by SS Parveen

Eastern Railway services resume, trains slightly delayed

The Eastern Railway has resumed services as usual in Howrah, Sealdah, Asansol and Malda divisions since early morning on Saturday. Trains may be running slightly delayed due to the strict observance of safety stipulations. The condition of the train services are constantly being closely monitored.

Input by SS Parveen

Narendra Modi speaks to Naveen Patnaik, says ‘assured support’ to continue from Centre

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated support to the Odisha government in view of Cyclone Fani, as the storm passed from the state after leaving eight dead. The storm is now heading in the north-east direction from West Bengal.

Flight operations resume at Kolkata airport

Based on latest weather update flight operations to resume at Kolkata Airport from 8am today. Airport authority has advised passengers to check with the concerned airlines for any changes in the flight timings.

Input by SS Parveen/101Reporters

Cyclone Fani latest update from Odisha

Bhubaneswar Airport to resume operations at 1 pm on Saturday

Cyclone Fani to lose intensity by afternoon

Cyclone Fani hit Kharagpur in West Bengal at around 12.30 am with a wind speed of 60 to 70 kilometre per hour. Then it crossed Arambagh, Hooghly and Kolkata. The cyclone is slowly weakening as it moves towards Bangladesh. Heavy rains are expected in Kolkata till Saturday afternoon.

(Visuals from Kolkata)

Input by SS Parveen/101Reporters

Cyclone Fani latest update from West Bengal

Severe storm hits West Bengal after crossing Kharagpur, to continue north-eastward at 90 kmph

Cyclone Fani has passed from Odisha and arrived in West Bengal in early hours of Saturday after it crossed Kharagpur. The cyclonic storm is expected to continue further in North-East direction with the wind speed of 90 km/hour, reported ANI.