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NEW DELHI:
Cyclone Fani, which is approaching the Odisha coast, has turned into an “extremely severe cyclonic” storm, the Navy said late last night. The state has been put on a “yellow alert” by the weather department. The Election Commission has lifted the model code of conduct in the coastal districts of the state to ensure that the state is prepared to face Fani. The Navy, the National Disaster Response Force and the Coast Guard are on high alert. The Met department has issued a “yellow warning” for the Odisha coast predicting heavy to very heavy rain in several areas. Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh too are on high alert. Odisha’s 879 multipurpose cyclone shelters have been kept ready. The shelters can accommodate about one million people during cyclones and floods.
National Disaster Management Authority tweets, “Sea condition is phenomenal over west-central Bay of Bengal neighbourhood and phenomenal sea conditions over SW Bay & adjoining west central BOB and along & off north Tamilnadu Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh coasts. Fishermen are advised not to venture into these areas.”
The Odisha government on Wednesday ordered closure of all educational institutions in the state from tomorrow because of the cyclonic storm ‘Fani’, which is likely to hit the coast on May 3 afternoon.
Cyclone Fani: Temple Town Of Puri On Alert
Authorities in Odisha also advised tourists to leave Puri by tomorrow evening and cancel non-essential travel to the districts likely to be affected on May 3 and May 4.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is deploying 41 teams in areas considered to be vulnerable – Andhra Pradesh (8), Odisha (28) and West Bengal (5). The NDRF has also kept on standby 13 teams in West Bengal and 10 in Andhra Pradesh.
Cyclone Fani is expected to cross Odisha coast between Gopalpur and Chandbali, to the south of Puri around afternoon on May 3.
Because of Cyclone Fani, the Election Commission has approved the proposal of lifting of the provisions of Model Code of Conduct in the Odisha districts of Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Gajapati, Ganjam, Khordha, Cuttack and Jajpur to facilitate speedy rescue, relief, and restoration activities.
The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) also met for the second time on Tuesday in as many days and reviewed how the states are preparing to deal with the situation.
