Alert in West Bengal as Cyclone Fani advances

The dreaded Cyclone Fani is likely to hit West Bengal on May 3 and the government agencies are expecting largescale damage across the coastal districts of the state.

The Kolkata office of Indian Meteorological Department has issued warning for districts like East and West Midnapore, South and North 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hoogly and Kolkata.

"The extremely severe cyclonic storm 'Fani' is very likely to move northwestwards during next 12 hours and thereafter recurve north-northeastwards and cross Odisha Coast between Gopalpur and Chandbali, around Puri during May 3, afternoon with maximum sustained wind of speed 170-180kmph gusting to 200kmph," said Sajib Banerjee, Deputy Director General of Meteorology, IMD Kolkata.

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The alert has been issued to prevent wide-scale damage to the state. The state government has cancelled leaves of all concerned departments like Disaster Management Group and put them on alert. The state police have sounded an alert for those residing in the coastal areas to go to higher ground and further away from the sea as houses may be damaged.

"Total destruction of thatched houses, extensive damage to kutcha houses, and some damage to pucca houses is expected. Potential threat from flying objects, bending and uprooting of power and communication poles, trees, major damage to roads also expected. There could be minor disruption of railways, overhead powerlines and signalling systems. Widespread damage to standing crops, plantations anticipated," added Banerjee.

The Met office has suggested total suspension of fishing operations, extensive evacuation from coastal areas of east Midnapore, North and South 24 Parganas districts. The fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea from May 2, and those who are already at sea are advised to return to coast.

The state suffered significant damage when hit by the Cyclone Aila in 2009. "The speed of Cyclone Aila was 110-112 kmph, however, the speed of Cyclone Fani is likely to be around 100-120 kmph when it will hit Bengal," added Banerjee.

The NDRF teams too have been stationed in Bengal to combat the cyclone. "As many as 18 NDRF operation teams are being deployed for West Bengal to assist during Cyclone Fani, These teams will be positioned across vulnerable West Bengal districts. The NDRF will act in coordination with concerned West Bengal agencies," NDRF DG Satya Pradhan tweeted.

The Indian Coast Guard has, meanwhile, initiated all actions as per the Standard Operating Procedure prior to the onset of the cyclone.