Cyclone Fani updates: Relief operations underway, 4,000 storm shelters set up in Odisha

Extremely severe cyclone storm cyclone ‘Fani’ hit Odisha earlier in the morning and is now moving northwards. The cyclone had moved close to north coastal Andhra before it made landfall in neighbouring Odisha.
12.30pm
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday said the state was prepared to combat the extremely severe cyclonic storm Fani that is likely to affect six southern districts, while urging people to stay alert and not to panic.

The cyclone made landfall on neighbouring Odisha's eastern coast on Friday morning. Despite extensive damage caused by near 200 kmph winds and heavy to very heavy rainfall, no loss of life has been reported so far.

It is now located 418 km southwest of Kolkata and 364 Km, southwest of the East Midnapore district sea resort Digha.

Six districts in Gangetic West Bengal likely to be affected are East and West Midnapore, North and South 24 Parganas, Howrah and Kolkata.

12.15pm
As a precaution against cyclone 'Fani', the Indian Railway has cancelled 223 trains in the Bhadrak-Vizianagaram section, along the coastal lines of Odisha on the Kolkata-Chennai route till May 4, officials said.

A senior Railway Ministry official told IANS: "140 Mail and Express trains and 83 passenger trains have been cancelled till May 4 afternoon on the Bhadrak-Vizianagaram section (along Odisha coastline) of Kolkata-Chennai route."

He said that nine trains have been diverted and four trains have been short terminated.

12.00pm

As per PIB, Cyclonic Storm 'Fani' lay centered at 10.30 Hours IST today. Puri reported maximum sustained wind speed of 142 Kmph gusting to 174 kmph as of 07.30 IST today. It is very likely to move north-north eastwards and weaken into a very severe cyclonic storm during next 3 hours.

11:46 a.m.

West Bengal chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has reportedly cancelled all her political rallies. "We are monitoring the situation 24x7 and doing all it takes. I appeal to all people to cooperate. Be alert, take care and stay safe for the next two days," she tweeted.

11:30 a.m.


11:15 a.m.


11:02 a.m.

In Andhra Pradesh, about 20,000 people have reportedly been shifted to 126 relief camps in Srikakulam district, where seven 'mandals' (blocks) are likely to be affected by the cyclone, IANS reported. The area is also under red alert asking people to take preventive measures.

10:55 a.m.

Extremely severe cyclone storm cyclone ‘Fani’ hit Odisha earlier in the morning and is now moving northwards. The cyclone had moved close to north coastal Andhra before it made landfall in neighbouring Odisha.

The cyclone “is very likely to move North-Northeastwards and further weaken into a “severe cyclonic storm”during the next six hours, the Indian Met Department has said.

10:40 a.m.

The cyclone “is very likely to move North-Northeastwards and further weaken into a “severe cyclonic storm”during the next six hours, the Indian Met Department has said.