Cyclone Fani likely to make landfall in afternoon, at least 1 million evacuated in Odisha
Cyclone Fani
Ahead of cyclone Fani hitting the coast, the Odisha government informed overnight on Thursdaythat nearly one million people were evacuated in the last 24 hours from vulnerable districts.
The state government said at least 3 lakh people from Ganjam and 1.3 lakh from Puri district were evacuated.
Meanwhile, India's Metrological Department said cyclone Fani is likely to move north-northeastwards and the cross Odisha coast between Gopalpur and Chandbali, south of Puri on Friday.
IMD said the cyclone on Fridayafternoon is likely to have maximum sustained wind speed of 170-180 kmph gusting to 200 kmph.
Landfall is very likely to continue till noon and afternoon of Friday, the IMD said.
After landfall the cyclone is likely to continue to move north-northeastwards, weaken gradually and emerge into Gangetic West Bengal as a "Severe Cyclonic Storm" with wind speed of 90-100 Kmph gusting to 115 kmph by early morning of Saturday, the IMD added.
"It is very likely to move further north-northeastwards and emerge into Bangladesh on May 4th evening as a "Cyclonic Storm" with wind speed of 60-70 kmph gusting to 80 kmph.
The IMD has forecast thunderstorm, dusty winds and light rainfall in several places along the Odisha coast as cyclone Fani begins to enter the area.
The authorities have made elaborate plans including positioning 4,000 specialised personnel as part of 81 NDRF teams have been deployed to deal with the 'extremely severe' cyclone 'Fani'.
Twenty-eight fully equipped teams have also been deployed in and around Puri in Odisha which is likely to be hit hard.