New Delhi, Delhi, India

Cyclone Fani which made a landfall in Odisha earlier during the day is likely to hit West Bengal by today evening.

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Fani hit Odisha's Puri district in eastern India at around 8 am on Friday.

India's Meteorological Department(IMD) in Hyderabad tracking cyclone Fani said winds have been blowing at a maximum speed of 240-245 km per hour with very heavy rains in Puri and is now likely moving towards West Bengal coast.

"The eye of the storm is likely to be weakened when it enters West Bengal. The wind speed will be around 100 kmph to 110 kmph," an official of the meteorological department said.

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Also read: Cyclone Fani and why it is so powerful

Three people were killed due to the cyclone, an official said.

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One man died of a heart attack in one of several thousand shelters that have been set up, AFP reported.

"Another person went out in the storm despite our warnings and died because a tree fell on him," Odisha special relief commissioner Bishnupada Sethi said.

Normal life in and around Kolkata was thrown out of gear as cyclonic storm 'Fani' made landfall in neighbouring Odisha.

Moderate to heavy rains lashed various parts of the city, causing heavy traffic congestion in north and south Kolkata.

In view of the storm heading towards West Bengal, many political parties have cancelled their election programmes for the next 24 hours.

West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee has cancelled all her political meetings for the next 48 hours.

A red alert has been issued in coastal areas and fishermen have been asked not to venture into the sea.

The state government has taken precautionary measures for districts like East and West Midnapore, both North and South 24 Parganas besides, Howrah, Hooghly, Jhargram and Kolkata and Sundarbans to avert any untoward incident.

Several trains from the city have been cancelled while the city airport has decided to remain shut from 3 PM Friday till 8 AM Saturday.

Kolkata Police has opened a control room at its headquarters to monitor the situation in the city.

All government and government-aided schools have suspended classes from Friday and the Health Department has cancelled leave of doctors and the staff till May 6.

(With inputs from agencies)