New Delhi:
Cyclone Fani, the most severe cyclonic storm over the east coast in nearly two decades, made a landfall in Odisha’s Puri around 9:05 am on Friday, hours ahead of its expected time, packing winds up to 175 kmph before the landfall. Cyclone Fani’s landfall started near Puri with wind velocity of 150 to 175 kmph. Its eye diameter was 28 km. Apart from Odisha, the storm affected other states on the east coast – West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Extremely heavy rainfall and strong winds lashed coastal districts of the adjoining states. Schools in West Bengal have been closed for the day. Coast guards, NDRF teams, Air force and Navy are all on alert in case of an eventuality. An estimated 10,000 villages and 52 towns in Odisha were hit by the ‘extremely severe’ cyclonic storm. A total of 11.5 lakh people in Odisha were moved to safer areas by Thursday.
Stay tuned for all the latest updates:
West Bengal: Visuals of heavy rainfall from Kolkata. Cyclone Fani made its landfall in Puri, Odisha earlier in the day.
West Bengal: Visuals of heavy rainfall from Kolkata. #CycloneFani made its landfall in Puri, Odisha earlier in the day. pic.twitter.com/dZxOHjraOC
— ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2019
The main business districts of Kolkata wore a deserted look by Friday afternoon as the fear of devastation by the severe cyclonic storm Fani sent the people to the safety of their homes. The met department has forecast heavy to very heavy rains in most places of south Bengal, with extremely heavy falls at one or two places. The wind velocity is likely to touch 60 km per hour in the city and adjoining districts on Friday, the weatherman said.
As per telephonic information, in Puri, extensive damage to kuchha houses, old buildings and temporary shops. No confirmed report of deaths, but 160 reportedly injured. Power and telecom is completely down. NDRF and state forces are clearing roads, says the Centre.
#WATCH: Visuals from Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar after #FaniCyclone made a landfall in Puri earlier in the day. Restoration process underway. pic.twitter.com/zB9FShmLzn
— ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2019
Odisha: Strong winds & heavy rainfall hit Bhubaneswar city; Visuals from Biju Patnaik International Airport.
Odisha: Strong winds & heavy rainfall hit Bhubaneswar city; Visuals from Biju Patnaik International Airport. #CycloneFani pic.twitter.com/UtapsBEP1F
— ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2019
"Directed the Civil Aviation secretary to continuously monitor situation. The DGCA will be issuing revised advisories to airlines as and when necessary. Taking all possible steps for passenger safety and to minimise their inconvenience," Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu.
Three people were killed in separate incidents as cyclone Fani battered the Odisha coast, officials said. A teenager was killed when a tree came crashing down on him at a place within Sakhigopal police station area limits in Puri district.
'Fani' fury weakens, heavy rainfall predicted in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, northeast: MHA
#SevereCyclonicStorm #Fani and consequent #VeryRoughSea do not deter #CoastGuard ship while she proceeds to undertake #HADR. @IndiaCoastGuard Ship with relief material onboard off #Odisha coast heading 4 humanitarian mission @DefenceMinIndia @SpokespersonMoD @PIB_India @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/xZF8hcgkau
— Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) May 3, 2019
Central government is in constant touch with the governments of Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry: PM Modi.
There has been extensive damage to to power infrastructure, thatched houses and standing trees.
As many as two persons died in Odisha during cyclone Fani on Friday. Fani made a landfall at Odisha's Puri at speeds of up to 200 kilometres (125 miles) per hour. "I can confirm two deaths for now. One old man in one of the shelters died because of (a) heart attack. Another person went out in the storm despite our warnings and died because a tree fell on him," Odisha state special relief commissioner Bishnupada Sethi told mediapersons.
Airlines must immediately respond to concerns of passengers affected by Cyclone Fani: Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu.
PM Modi: I took latest update from officers. I held a review meeting yesterday. More than Rs 1,000 crore was released to concerned governments yesterday in advance. NDRF, Indian Coast Guard, Army, Navy, Air Force are working with admn. I assure the affected people that nation & centre are with them. |
"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 Secretary Preeti Sudan.
#Video | Extensive damage to structure of AIIMS-Bhubaneswar reported due to #CycloneFani
LIVE updates on #Fani: https://t.co/THM55i10mk pic.twitter.com/799SKcrFa7
— News Nation (@NewsNationTV) May 3, 2019
Andhra Pradesh: Election Commission of India approves the proposal for granting relaxations in the provisions of Model Code of Conduct in East Godavari, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagram & Srikakulam districts, for all the preventive & relief work associated with Fani.
Odisha: Food being distributed at cyclone shelter set up at Sea Aquarium, in Paradip.
Odisha: Food being distributed at cyclone shelter set up at Sea Aquarium, in Paradip. #CycloneFani pic.twitter.com/I9DL5TM6BU
— ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2019
Odisha: Police personnel of Nayapalli police station clear roads in Bhubaneswar. Several trees have been uprooted in the heavy rain and strong winds which hit the region today.
Odisha: Police personnel of Nayapalli police station clear roads in Bhubaneswar. Several trees have been uprooted in the heavy rain and strong winds which hit the region today. #CyclonicStormFANI pic.twitter.com/tGxBvzP36c
— ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2019
A roof was blown off at the undergraduate hostel in AIIMS Bhubaneshwar due to the cyclone.
We have given Rs 1,000 crore in advance for Cyclone Fani, says PM Modi in Rajasthan's Dholpur.
Mrityunjay Mohapatra, IMD, Delhi: In the next 3 hours, Cyclone Fani is expected to weaken with a wind speed of 150-160 km per hour, subsequently it will weaken and move north-northeastwards. By evening, it may weaken into severe cyclonic storm over extreme northern part of Odisha.
Several trees uprooted in Bhubaneswar as strong winds hit the region under the influence of Cyclone Fani.
#Odisha: Several trees uprooted in #Bhubaneswar as strong winds hit the region under the influence of #CycloneFani. pic.twitter.com/JXtmoCw1Ad
— ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2019
East Coast Railways: A special train to be run from Visakhapatnam to Mumbai CSTM with the timings and stoppages of Konark Express(11020).
NDRF team deployed at Digha evacuated total 132 people, including 52 children, from Dattapur and Tajpur. They have been taken to a shelter.
Airports Authority of India: No flight to and from Kolkata Airport from 3 pm today to 8 am tomorrow (IST). Closure timing revised from earlier announced 9.30 pm today to 6 pm tomorrow (IST).
Strong winds lash Puri after Cyclone Fani makes a landfall.
#WATCH | Strong winds lash Puri after Cyclone Fani makes a landfall. #CycloneFANI
Follow LIVE updates:https://t.co/THM55i10mk pic.twitter.com/vlZge5YyiE
— News Nation (@NewsNationTV) May 3, 2019
Heavy rainfall and strong winds hit Ganjam as Fani cyclone hits Puri coast with wind speed of above 175km/per hour.
Odisha: Heavy rainfall and strong winds hit Ganjam as #FANI cyclone hits Puri coast with wind speed of above 175km/per hour, reports ANI.#CycloneFani #CycloneFANI
Follow LIVE updates:https://t.co/THM55i10mk pic.twitter.com/bdkjY7c0c6
— News Nation (@NewsNationTV) May 3, 2019
WATCH | Rain and strong winds hit Bhubaneswar as Fani cyclone hits Puri coast with wind speed of above 175km/per hour.
#WATCH Rain and strong winds hit Bhubaneswar as #FANI cyclone hits Puri coast with wind speed of above 175km/per hour. pic.twitter.com/QZYkk1EALI
— ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2019
Fani centred near latitude 19.8 & longitude 85.7 at 09.30 am today close to Puri, latest observations indicates that the eye of cyclone has completely moved into land by 1000 hrs IST. Thus the cyclone crossed Odisha coast between 0800 - 1000 IST, the IMD tweeted.
FANI centered near lat 19.8 & long 85.7 at 0930 IST of today close to Puri, latest observations indicates that the eye of cyclone has completely moved into land by 1000 hrs IST. Thus the cyclone crossed Odisha coast between 0800 - 1000 IST. pic.twitter.com/gAQ3kpmRHg
— India Met. Dept. (@Indiametdept) May 3, 2019
13 Navy aircraft are at standby in Visakhapatnam to carry out damage assessment and relief distribution requirements.
After landfall, it is very likely to move north-northeastwards, weaken gradually and emerge into Gangetic West Bengal as a severed cyclonic storm and move to Bangladesh after weakening.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has cancelled all her political rallies scheduled for today and tomorrow because of Fani. Mamata Banerjee to stay in Kharagpur, near the coastal belt and monitor the situation herself, today and tomorrow.
IMD Hyderabad: Winds in Puri, Odisha are blowing at a maximum speed of 240-245 km per hour and heavy to very heavy rains are continuing over the Odisha coast. After landfall, the impact is likely to reduce and it is likely to move towards West Bengal coast.
R Shukla, IMD Paradip, Odisha: Landfall process started around 8 AM&is expected to complete within 2 hrs. Then it's expected to move north-northeastwards, covering all dists in coastal Odisha, towards WB. Wind speed of 35 km/hr recorded in latest updates at 9 AM & it'll increase.
Andhra Pradesh: Relief operation by NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) is underway in Kotturu Mandal of Srikakulam which received rain and experienced strong winds today.
Andhra Pradesh: Relief operation by NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) is underway in Kotturu Mandal of Srikakulam which received rain and experienced strong winds today. #CycloneFani has made a landfall in Odisha's Puri. (Pic source: NDRF) pic.twitter.com/gzTZUzWMHT
— ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2019
So far, in Bhubaneshwar the trains coming from Puri and Andhra Pradesh have been stopped, trains going towards New Delhi and Mumbai have also been stopped.
Cooked food is being being served to people who have taken shelter in cyclone shelters. About 5000 kitchens have started operating. A record 10.85 lakh people have been evacuated with priority to the physically challenged, women and children, according to state government officials.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall continues in Ganjam, Puri, Khurda and Jagastinghpur districts. Trees have been uprooted at several places in the region.
SEE PIC | An uprooted tree blocks a road in Bhubaneswar:
IMD bulletin On Fani:
THE EXTREMELY SEVERE CYCLONIC STORM “FANI” LAY CENTERED AT 0830 HOURS IST OF TODAY, 03rd MAY, 2019 NEAR LAT. 19.60N AND LONG. 85.70E OVER NORTHWEST & ADJOINING WESTCENTRAL BAY OF BENGAL ABOUT 25 KM SOUTH-SOUTHWEST OF PURI. pic.twitter.com/6Ns2EDHgnU
— India Met. Dept. (@Indiametdept) May 3, 2019
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has cancelled all her political rallies scheduled for today and tomorrow because of Fani. HR Biswas, Director, Met Dept, Bhubaneswar: Extremely severe cyclone Fani landfall started at 8 AM. Some of the portion of the eye has already entered land area. It'll take 2 more hrs to complete landfall process. Landfall position is close to Puri. It'll continue upto 10.30 AM.
HR Biswas, Director, Met Dept, Bhubaneswar: Extremely severe cyclone Fani landfall started at 8 AM. Some of the portion of the eye has already entered land area. It'll take 2 more hrs to complete landfall process. Landfall position is close to Puri. It'll continue upto 10.30 AM. pic.twitter.com/QaG2CGgmYg
— ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2019
Rescue and relief agencies in Odisha are on high alert in view of cyclone Fani.
WATCH | Rain and strong winds hit Paradip, Odisha:
#WATCH Rain and strong winds hit Paradip, Odisha. #CycloneFani pic.twitter.com/YJZ7oCS191
— ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2019
Preparing for the aftermath of Cyclone Fani, the Indian Coast Guard has positioned 34 Disaster Relief Teams at Vizag, Chennai, Paradip, Gopalpur, Haldia, Frazergunj and Kolkata besides four Coast Guard ships at Vizag and Chennai.
WATCH | Cyclone Fani’s landfall started near Puri with wind velocity of 150 to 175 kmph. It's eye diameter is 28 km.
#WATCH #CycloneFani hits Puri in Odisha. pic.twitter.com/X0HlYrS0rf
— ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2019
The helpline numbers of the HQ, KUR and WAT Division for Cyclone FANI:
Headquarters:
INMARSAT Bhubaneswar: 08991112802
INMARSAT Bhubaneswar: 08991112803
BSNL Number: 0674-2303060/0674-2301525/0674-2301625
Railway Number: 085-50525/085-50625/085-50725 ; Intercom - 268/378 ; CISCO IP Phone - 0462219999
Passenger Helpline KUR: 138
BSNL - 0674-2492374
Railway - 085-72818, 085-72819, 085-72820
Intercom - 778; INMARSAT - 08991112804
Security Control: 182
Disaster Number: 1072
Passenger Helpline Waltair:
BSNL - 0891-2746255
Railway - 085-82088, 085-82089, 085-82329, 085-82265, 085-83096, 085-83082
Intercom - 866
INMARSAT - 08991112806
Security Control: 182
Disaster Number: 1072
Details of Inmarsat Numbers of East Coast Railway for Cyclone FANI:
Headquarters/ECoR-1: 08991112802
Headquarters/ECoR-2: 08991112803
Test Room/Khurda Road: 08991112804
Bhadrak: 08991112805
Brahmapur (from BZA): 08991112748
Palasa (from KRPU): 08991112807
Paradeep (from KBJ): 08991112808
Puri (from SBP): 08991112809
Waltair: 08991112806
With a red alert being sounded for cyclone "Fani" in as many as 19 districts, including Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, several helpline numbers and an exclusive mobile app have been launched in a bid to help victims during disaster and connect survivors with relief teams in real time.
HR Biswas, Director, Met Dept, Bhubaneswar: The impact of landfall process has started. Fani will make a landfall between 8-11 am. In the morning at 6:31 AM it was 70 km south-southwest of Puri, it is moving now.
Odisha: People take refuge in a shelter in Paradip of Jagatsinghpur. Over 1 million people have been evacuated from vulnerable districts in last 24 hrs & about 5000 kitchens are operating to serve people in shelters. Cyclone Fani is expected to make a landfall in Puri dist today.
Odisha: People take refuge in a shelter in Paradip of Jagatsinghpur. Over 1 million people have been evacuated from vulnerable districts in last 24 hrs & about 5000 kitchens are operating to serve people in shelters. #CycloneFani is expected to make a landfall in Puri dist today. pic.twitter.com/Hp3oXhkPSB
— ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2019
Visuals from Digha ( coastal area in Bengal).
Cyclone FaniLIVE | Visuals from Digha( coastal area in Bengal).https://t.co/THM55i10mk pic.twitter.com/yM2p2Qs9eJ
— News Nation (@NewsNationTV) May 3, 2019
Cyclone Warning Center, Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh): Local cautionary signal no. 3 kept hoisted at Machilipatnam, Krishnapatnam, Nizamapatnam, Kakinada & Vadarevu ports.
Cyclone Warning Center, Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh): Great danger signal no. 10 kept hoisted at Kalingapatnam, Bheemunipatnam ports. Great danger signal no. 8 hoisted at Visakhapatnam and Gangavaram ports.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday urged party workers in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal to warn people in their neighbourhood about Cyclone Fani and help those in need. "As #CycloneFani approaches, I urge Congress workers in Odisha, Andhra & West Bengal to warn people in their surrounding areas of the approaching danger and to help those in need," Gandhi had tweeted.
In view of the severe cyclonic storm Fani, Andhra Pradesh Eastern Power Distribution Corporation Ltd (APEPDCL) has cautioned public to be more alert regarding any untoward power accidents due to nature's fury.
Andhra Pradesh: Visuals from Srikakulam as rain and strong winds hit the region.
Andhra Pradesh: Visuals from Srikakulam as rain and strong winds hit the region. #CycloneFani is expected to make a landfall in Puri district in Odisha today and continue till noon. pic.twitter.com/GDnufvrQag
— ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2019
The cyclone is moving at a speed of 16 kilometres per hour, the IMD said.
The Cyclone Warning Division of the India Meteorological Department said the wind speed of the Extremely Severe Cyclone Fani could reach 200-230 kilometres when it makes the landfall.
WATCH | Strong winds hit Bhubaneswar. Cyclone Fani is expected to make a landfall in Puri district today and continue till noon.
#WATCH Odisha: Strong winds hit Bhubaneswar. #CycloneFani is expected to make a landfall in Puri district today and continue till noon. pic.twitter.com/Y90eUyxmke
— ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2019
East Coast Railway: It has further been decided to cancel 10 more trains - 7 trains on 3rd May, one train on 4th May, one train on 6th May & one train on 7th May. Railways had earlier cancelled 147 trains from 1st to 3rd May.
East Coast Railway: It has further been decided to cancel 10 more trains - 7 trains on 3rd May, one train on 4th May, one train on 6th May & one train on 7th May. Railways had earlier cancelled 147 trains from 1st to 3rd May. #CyclonicStormFANI pic.twitter.com/uuTAseYHLr
— ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2019
The buses will be available at half an hour or lesser interval from 5 am in the morning. 15 more Buses will remain available and will be deployed, if the situation demands.
South Bengal State Transport Corporation (SBSTC) will operate about 50 Buses from Digha on 3rd May to evacuate the stranded tourists at Digha to minimise inconvenience caused due to suspension of train operations to Digha on that day.
WATCH Odisha: Strong winds and rainfall hit Puri. Cyclone Fani is expected to make a landfall in Puri district today. Visuals from near Puri Beach.
#WATCH Odisha: Strong winds and rainfall hit Puri. #CycloneFani is expected to make a landfall in Puri district today. Visuals from near Puri Beach. pic.twitter.com/Wc9i851CNY
— ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2019
West Bengal: Latest visuals from the area around Bichali Ghat in Kolkata.
West Bengal: Latest visuals from the area around Bichali Ghat in Kolkata. #CycloneFani is expected to make a landfall in Puri district of Odisha today. pic.twitter.com/MAGTH5jMZU
— ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2019
It is very likely to move further north-northwestwards and emerge into Bangladesh on May 4 evening as a Cyclonic Storm.
Landfall process very likely to continue till noon/afternoon of May 3. After the landfall, system is very likely to continue to move north-northeastwards, weaken gradually and emerge into Gangetic West Bengal as a Severe Cyclonic Storm by early morning of May 4.
Odisha CMO: More than 1 million people have been evacuated from vulnerable districts in last 24 hours. Ganjam & Puri evacuated more than 3 lakh & 1.3 lakh people respectively to safe shelters. About 5000 kitchens started operating to serve people in the shelters.
District Magistrate, Ganjam (Odisha): 3,01,460 people evacuated. 541 pregnant women shifted to hospital safely.
Visuals from Jagatsinghpur district's Paradip which is on high alert in view of Cyclone Fani; the very severe cyclonic storm is expected to make a landfall in Puri district of Odisha today.
Ministry of Home Affairs' Control Room helpline number for Cyclone Fani- 1938, becomes operational to provide latest updates.
Digha in West Bengal: Fishermen prohibited from venturing into the sea, asked to vacate the seashore & move to relief centre. Fisherman Sujit Muiya says, "We're scared. Safety is our priority but once cyclone goes away, we'll need to earn money. Can't bear damage of my fishing net."
Digha: Fishermen prohibited from venturing into the sea, asked to vacate the seashore & move to relief centre. Fisherman Sujit Muiya says, "We're scared. Safety is our priority but once cyclone goes away, we'll need to earn money. Can't bear damage of my fishing net." #WestBengal pic.twitter.com/VJYn5zdelu
— ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2019
Puri: Fishermen in Penthakata village leave their houses for relief centers as Cyclone Fani is expected to make a landfall here later today; Visuals from May 2.
Puri: Fishermen in Penthakata village leave their houses for relief centers as #CycloneFani is expected to make a landfall here later today; #visuals from May 2. #Odisha pic.twitter.com/dJfC8jxb72
— ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2019
Odisha: Visuals from a relief camp in Puri. Jayanti, a Red Cross member, says, "1,000 people have been evacuated. Many people aren't willing to come, scared their belongings will be stolen. But we'll evacuate them tomorrow morning at any cost. We want zero casualty."
Odisha: #Visuals from a relief camp in Puri; Jayanti, a Red Cross member, says, "1,000 people have been evacuated. Many people aren't willing to come, scared their belongings will be stolen. But we'll evacuate them tomorrow morning at any cost.We want zero casualty." #FaniCyclone pic.twitter.com/2zYggJUicm
— ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2019
Odisha government has suspended Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) of Rayagada, Siva Prasad Padhi, for not joining duty despite Government's order cancelling holidays of all the employees in Health Department in view of the cyclonic storm.
Odisha Government: Once the wind speed reduces, power supply shall be restored in a phased manner after necessary checking of electrical installations
Odisha Government: In view of very severe cyclonic storm Fani scheduled to landfall near Puri on May 3, it has been decided to disconnect the power supply when the wind speed reaches 50 km/hr as a precautionary measure for the safety of people and equipment.
