The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a ‘yellow warning’ for Odisha coast as cyclone Fani is likely to hit the between Puri and Kendrapara by Friday, 3 May, reported ANI.
The Election Commission has reportedly approved the proposal for lifting of the Model Code of Conduct in Odisha districts of Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Gajapati, Ganjam, Khordha, Cuttack and Jajpur due to the cyclone to facilitate speedy rescue operations.
“The IMD module indicates that Cyclone Fani is expected to make a landfall somewhere between Satapada or Chandrabhaga in Puri district and Gupti in Kendrapara late on 3 May,” Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) BP Sethi told PTI.
According to a forecast issued by the US Navy, the cyclonic system is likely to cross Odisha through the coast, he said, adding, the exact location of the landfall will be clear on Wednesday after the cyclone recurves.
Here are the key highlights on Cyclone Fani so far:
1. IMD Issues ‘Yellow Warning’
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a ‘yellow warning’ for Odisha coast as cyclone Fani is likely to hit the between Puri and Kendrapara by Friday, 3 May, reported ANI.
(Photo: ANI)
IMD has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places such as Bough, Kalahandi, Sambalpur, Deogarh and Sundargarh.
Rescue teams of Odisha Fire and Disaster Response Academy have been put on standby.
2. Cyclone Fani Likely to Intensify into Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm in Next 12 Hours
In its 12 pm bulletin, the Cyclone Warning Division of the IMD said Fani lays over southeast and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal, about 830 km nearly south of Puri (Odisha) and 670 km south-southeast of Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and about 680 km northeast of Trincomalee (Sri Lanka).
"It is very likely to intensify further into an extremely severe cyclonic storm during the next 12 hours. It is very likely to move northwestwards till 1 May evening and thereafter recurve north-northeastwards and reach Odisha coast by 3 May afternoon with maximum sustained wind of speed 170-180 kilometers per hour gusting to 200 kmph," the IMD said.
3. Centre Orders Release of Rs 1,086 Crore to 4 States as Advance Assistance for Fani
The Center ordered release of Rs 1,086 crore to four states as advance financial assistance on Tuesday, 30 April, for undertaking preventive and relief measures to deal with Cyclone Fani, which is approaching the Indian coast.
Following a decision of the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), the Ministry of Home Affairs has ordered for advance release of financial assistance of Rs 1,086 crore to the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) of four states , an official statement said.
Of the sanctioned amount, Odisha will receive Rs 340.87 crore, Tamil Nadu Rs 309.37 crore, West Bengal Rs 235.50 crore and Andhra Pradesh will get Rs 200.25 crore.
The move has been made to assist the states for undertaking preventive and relief measures in response Fani.
4. Patnaik for Further Postponing Patkura Polls Due to Cyclone
With the IMD forecasting very severe cyclonic storm Fani likely hit the Odisha coast on 3 May night, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday said he would urge the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) to postpone polling in Patkura Assembly segment.
"I am going to see the Chief Election Commissioner about postponing the election in the Patkura Assembly seat in case the cyclone hits Odisha," Patnaik said.
5. Indian Navy on High Alert for Cyclone Fani
As Cyclone Fani was intensifying into a 'Severe Cyclonic Storm' over the south-east and adjoining south-west Bay of Bengal, the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) is on high alert to render necessary humanitarian assistance, a Navy spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Indian Naval ships at Visakhapatnam and Chennai are on standby to proceed to the most affected areas to undertake Humanitarian Aid Distress Relief (HADR), evacuation, logistic support including providing medical aid.
These ships are embarked with additional divers, doctors, inflatable rubber boats and relief material that include food, tents, clothes, medicines and blankets.
6. Odisha Likely to Start Evacuation on 2 May
The Odisha government is likely to begin the evacuation of people affected by cyclone Fani from 2 May as the severe cyclonic storm is heading to make a landfall on the state's coast, an official said in Bhubaneshwar on Tuesday.
The state government has also asked the concerned district collectors in the coastal regions to remain prepared to meet any eventuality.
“If the cyclone makes landfall in Odisha on the evening of 3 May, we will start evacuating the affected people on 2 May.”
-Bishnupada Sethi, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC)
As many as 879 cyclone shelters were already set up. Besides, 20 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) units, 335 fire services and 12 NDRF units were on standby.
7. Odisha Cancels Leaves of Employees
With Fani moving towards Odisha coast, the state government on Monday, 29 April, cancelled the leaves of its employees in three coastal districts.
The leaves of government employees in Ganjam, Puri and Kendrapara have been cancelled as a precautionary measure ahead of the the cyclonic storm.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik took stock of preparedness by the state administration to deal with cyclone Fani at the state secretariat.
Fani, which lay centred about 840 km east-southeast of Chennai at 11.30 IST on 29 April, is likely to move northwestwards till 1 May and then recurve north-northeastwards towards Odisha coast, said the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
8. North Coastal Andhra Braces for Fani Impact
With Fani in the Bay of Bengal likely to have an impact on north coastal Andhra Pradesh, the state administration was gearing up to prevent loss of life and minimise property damages.
The forecast that the cyclone may not hit the Andhra coast provided some relief to the administration as nearly 1,000 km long coastline is expected to escape the devastation, but north coastal Andhra comprising Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts bordering Odisha were still taking preventive steps.
Special officers in parts of Srikakulam district on Tuesday held a meeting with officials of various departments to review the situation.
Authorities in coastal villages and low-lying areas were asked to remain on alert and undertake evacuation, wherever necessary.
9. Fani May Bring Light to Moderate Rains to North Tamil Nadu: Met Dept
Light to moderate rainfall is expected in northern parts of Tamil Nadu under the influence of Cyclone 'Fani' which is presently lying over southwest Bay of Bengal, Area Cyclone Warning Centre Director S Balachandran said Tuesday.
"Kumarikadal, Mannarvalaikuda and northern parts of the state would be receiving strong winds with speed ranging between 30 and 50 km per hour today," he said.
Balachandran said the cyclone has intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm.