Odisha prepares for Cyclone Fani; NDRF, Navy, Coast Guard on high alert ahead of May 3 landfall

SUMMARY

Cyclonic storm 'Fani' is expected to make landfall in Odisha on May 3 afternoon with wind speeds ranging up to 180 km per hour causing heavy rainfall in the coastal districts of the state, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Wednesday. Fani is expected to hit the Odisha coast south of Puri and is likely to impact coastal districts like Ganjam, Gajapati, Khurda, Puri, and Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Bhadrak, Jajpur, and Balasore, it said. The IMD also warned of a storm surge of about 1.5 meters height which may inundate low- lying coastal areas of Odisha's Ganjam, Khurda, Puri and Jagatsinghpur districts at the time of landfall. Odisha informed that around 900 cyclone shelters have been made ready to house the evacuees and requested two helicopters to be stationed in the state for emergency food distribution. "Railways, Civil Aviation, and Shipping Ministries were advised to review their preparedness well in time and ensure the quick resumption of their services in the event of any disruption," an official statement said. The Indian Coast Guard and the Navy have deployed ships and helicopters for relief and rescue operations. "Army and Air Force units have also been put on standby in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed 12 teams in Andhra Pradesh, 28 teams in Odisha and six teams in West Bengal. Additionally, 32 teams have been kept on standby. The teams are equipped with boats, tree cutters, telecom equipment," the statement said.