Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday conducted an aerial survey to assess the loss and destruction caused by Cyclone Fani in Odisha.

PM Modi was received by Governor Ganeshi Lal and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on his arrival at the Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneshwar.

The prime minister, who has three rallies scheduled later in the day in West Bengal and Jharkhand, immediately proceeded towards his chopper to carry out the survey of the worst-hit Puri district and other affected areas.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-fani-death-toll-rises-to-33-as-cm-patnaik-announces-a-relief-package-216101">At least 34 people were killed during Cyclone 'Fani'</a>, which barrelled through coastal Odisha on Friday last, causing widespread destruction and leaving hundreds grappling with water shortage and power cut.

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PM Narendra Modi conducts aerial survey of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cyclonefani?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cyclonefani</a> affected areas in Odisha. Governor Ganeshi Lal, CM Naveen Patnaik and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also present. <a href="https://t.co/ZO9XkRC7kK">pic.twitter.com/ZO9XkRC7kK</a>
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The prime minister had on Sunday tweeted, "Will be in Odisha tomorrow morning, where I will review the situation due to Cyclone Fani and hold meetings with top officials. The Centre is committed to providing all possible assistance in relief and rehabilitation measures underway."

The PM also spoke to the chief minister on Saturday and discussed the situation in the aftermath of Fani, assuring continuous support from the Centre.

According to an official, Modi is scheduled to review the relief and restoration work in the state on his return from the aerial survey.

The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), headed by Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha, had on Sunday reviewed relief measures in affected areas of Odisha, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday conducted an aerial survey to assess the loss and destruction caused by Cyclone Fani in Odisha. PM Modi was received by Governor Ganeshi Lal and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on his arrival at the Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneshwar.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday conducted an aerial survey to assess the loss and destruction caused by Cyclone Fani in Odisha. PM Modi was received by Governor Ganeshi Lal and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on his arrival at the Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneshwar. The prime minister, who has three rallies scheduled later in the day in West Bengal and Jharkhand, immediately proceeded towards his chopper to carry out the survey of the worst-hit Puri district and other affected areas. At least 34 people were killed during Cyclone 'Fani', which barrelled through coastal Odisha on Friday last, causing widespread destruction and leaving hundreds grappling with water shortage and power cut. PM Narendra Modi conducts aerial survey of #Cyclonefani affected areas in Odisha. Governor Ganeshi Lal, CM Naveen Patnaik and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also present. pic.twitter.com/ZO9XkRC7kK — ANI (@ANI) May 6, 2019 × The prime minister had on Sunday tweeted, "Will be in Odisha tomorrow morning, where I will review the situation due to Cyclone Fani and hold meetings with top officials. The Centre is committed to providing all possible assistance in relief and rehabilitation measures underway." The PM also spoke to the chief minister on Saturday and discussed the situation in the aftermath of Fani, assuring continuous support from the Centre. According to an official, Modi is scheduled to review the relief and restoration work in the state on his return from the aerial survey. The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), headed by Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha, had on Sunday reviewed relief measures in affected areas of Odisha, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh.

Cyclone Fani: PM Modi conducts aerial survey of ravaged areas in Odisha

This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the morning from across the globe. Watch this video to get updated with the latest information.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - May 6th, 2019

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday slammed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for not taking his phone calls.&nbsp;

The Prime Minister accused Trinamool Congress chief of playing politics over cyclone Fani.&nbsp;

"I tried getting in touch with Didi but her arrogance is such that she refused to talk to me, I tried again but she did not get in touch," PM Modi said during a rally in West Bengal.

"Didi is so frustrated these days that she doesn't even want to talk or hear about God. The situation is such that Didi is arresting and jailing those who are chanting 'Jai Sri Ram'," said the PM while addressing a rally in Tamluk, West Bengal.

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PM Modi in Tamluk,West Bengal: Speedbreaker didi has tried to play politics even on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cycloneFani?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#cycloneFani</a>. I tried to get in touch with Mamata didi but her arrogance is such that she refused to talk to me, I tried again but she did not get in touch <a href="https://t.co/g0FudSKqIo">pic.twitter.com/g0FudSKqIo</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1125302184327778304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 6, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Earlier in the day, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/pm-modi-reviews-situation-in-cyclone-hit-odisha-lauds-state-government-says-another-rs-1000-crore-to-be-released-216313">PM Modi conducted an aerial survey of cyclone-ravaged areas in Odisha</a> and took part in a review meeting with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and other officials.&nbsp;

Later in the day, it was reported that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/west-bengal-refuses-to-hold-review-meeting-for-fani-with-pm-modi-216323">the Banerjee administration refused a review meeting with PM Modi over cyclone Fani</a> citing officials' unavailability due to ongoing elections.&nbsp;

On Sunday, reports surfaced that the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/pm-modi-could-not-talk-to-mamata-over-cyclone-as-his-calls-were-not-returned-official-216063">prime minister's calls went unanswered by Banerjee</a>.&nbsp;

"Two attempts were made by the prime minister's staff to connect Modi with Banerjee over the phone. On both the occasions they were told that the call would be returned. On one occasion they were told that the CM is on tour," an official said on Sunday.

Trinamool Congress had hit out at PM Modi for not talking to Banerjee about the ground situation in the state in wake of the cyclone.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday slammed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for not taking his phone calls. The Prime Minister accused Trinamool Congress chief of playing politics over cyclone Fani.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday slammed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for not taking his phone calls. The Prime Minister accused Trinamool Congress chief of playing politics over cyclone Fani. "I tried getting in touch with Didi but her arrogance is such that she refused to talk to me, I tried again but she did not get in touch," PM Modi said during a rally in West Bengal. "Didi is so frustrated these days that she doesn't even want to talk or hear about God. The situation is such that Didi is arresting and jailing those who are chanting 'Jai Sri Ram'," said the PM while addressing a rally in Tamluk, West Bengal. PM Modi in Tamluk,West Bengal: Speedbreaker didi has tried to play politics even on #cycloneFani. I tried to get in touch with Mamata didi but her arrogance is such that she refused to talk to me, I tried again but she did not get in touch pic.twitter.com/g0FudSKqIo — ANI (@ANI) May 6, 2019 × Earlier in the day, PM Modi conducted an aerial survey of cyclone-ravaged areas in Odisha and took part in a review meeting with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and other officials. Later in the day, it was reported that the Banerjee administration refused a review meeting with PM Modi over cyclone Fani citing officials' unavailability due to ongoing elections. On Sunday, reports surfaced that the prime minister's calls went unanswered by Banerjee. "Two attempts were made by the prime minister's staff to connect Modi with Banerjee over the phone. On both the occasions they were told that the call would be returned. On one occasion they were told that the CM is on tour," an official said on Sunday. Trinamool Congress had hit out at PM Modi for not talking to Banerjee about the ground situation in the state in wake of the cyclone.

Didi is playing politics over cyclone Fani, she refuses to take my calls: PM Modi in West Bengal 

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - May 5th, 2019

East Coast Railways on Saturday announced that trains originating from Bhubaneshwar will run normally from May 5 after the services were suspended owing to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/not-much-damage-by-cyclone-fani-in-west-bengal-mamata-banerjee-216005">cyclone 'Fani.'</a>

The cyclone had made landfall in Odisha on May 3.

"Train services will run normally from Bhubaneswar from tomorrow, May 5. This is for originating trains from Bhubaneswar," a tweet from the East Coast Railways read.

Railways have resumed services in less than 24 hours of the cyclone wreaking havoc in the state.

Only two trains, Bhubaneswar-Tirupati Express and Visakhapatnam Intercity Express will not run normally because of the non-availability of a pairing train according to the tweet.

Prashanti Express, Visakha Express, Rajdhani Express, Konark Express and Hirakhand express which originate from Bhubaneshwar will ply normally from Sunday.

East Coast Railways also stated that fourteen passenger train services will also resume in the state from Sunday.

After wreaking havoc at Puri, Bhubaneswar and other parts in Odisha on Friday, cyclonic storm Fani made landfall in West Bengal early on Saturday. Rain lashed Kolkata and other coastal towns in West Bengal.

According to IMD the cyclone will weaken and move into Bangladesh by noon. "Severe Cyclone FANI weakened into a Cyclonic Storm and lay centred at 60 km NW of Kolkata at 0530 IST of 4th May. To weaken into Deep Depression and move into Bangladesh by noon," tweeted IMD.&nbsp;

East Coast Railways on Saturday announced that trains originating from Bhubaneshwar will run normally from May 5 after the services were suspended owing to cyclone 'Fani.

East Coast Railways on Saturday announced that trains originating from Bhubaneshwar will run normally from May 5 after the services were suspended owing to cyclone 'Fani.' The cyclone had made landfall in Odisha on May 3. "Train services will run normally from Bhubaneswar from tomorrow, May 5. This is for originating trains from Bhubaneswar," a tweet from the East Coast Railways read. Railways have resumed services in less than 24 hours of the cyclone wreaking havoc in the state. Only two trains, Bhubaneswar-Tirupati Express and Visakhapatnam Intercity Express will not run normally because of the non-availability of a pairing train according to the tweet. Prashanti Express, Visakha Express, Rajdhani Express, Konark Express and Hirakhand express which originate from Bhubaneshwar will ply normally from Sunday. East Coast Railways also stated that fourteen passenger train services will also resume in the state from Sunday. After wreaking havoc at Puri, Bhubaneswar and other parts in Odisha on Friday, cyclonic storm Fani made landfall in West Bengal early on Saturday. Rain lashed Kolkata and other coastal towns in West Bengal. According to IMD the cyclone will weaken and move into Bangladesh by noon. "Severe Cyclone FANI weakened into a Cyclonic Storm and lay centred at 60 km NW of Kolkata at 0530 IST of 4th May. To weaken into Deep Depression and move into Bangladesh by noon," tweeted IMD.

Cyclone Fani: Train services in Bhubaneswar to resume today

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-fani-death-toll-rises-to-33-as-cm-patnaik-announces-a-relief-package-216101">Cyclone Fani: Death toll rises to 33 as CM Patnaik announces relief package</a>

At least 33 people lost their lives after cyclone Fani struck Odisha on Friday but a timely massive evocuation carried out by the state government averted the higher death toll.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-using-all-resources-to-sell-oil-in-grey-market-deputy-minister-216113">Iran using all resources to sell oil in 'grey market': Deputy minister</a>

Iran has mobilised all its resources to sell oil in a "grey market", bypassing US sanctions that Tehran sees as illegitimate, state media quoted Deputy Oil Minister Amir Hossein Zamaninia as saying on Sunday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/india-sees-little-scope-for-jet-airways-revival-government-sources-216085">Little scope for Jet Airways revival: Government sources</a>

The government sees little hope of a bidder emerging for debt-laden Jet Airways Ltd, which halted operations last month, a Reuters report said quoting two senior finance ministry officials.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/exclusive-sourav-ganguly-on-delhis-chances-of-lifting-ipl-2019-trophy-216087">Exclusive: Sourav Ganguly on Delhi's chances of lifting IPL 2019 trophy</a>

Delhi's fortune changed in the 12th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) with the team managing to reach the knockout stage for the first time since 2012.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-says-emigration-low-birth-rates-have-brought-ice-curtain-on-europe-216090">Pope says emigration, low birth rates have brought 'ice curtain' on Europe</a>

Pope Francis urged European leaders on Sunday to address wealth inequality and low birth rates which he said had created an "ice curtain" between Europe's richer and poorer states and was fuelling emigration.

Cyclone Fani: Death toll rises to 33 as CM Patnaik announces relief package At least 33 people lost their lives after cyclone Fani struck Odisha on Friday but a timely massive evocuation carried out by the state government averted the higher death toll.

Cyclone Fani: Death toll rises to 33 as CM Patnaik announces relief package At least 33 people lost their lives after cyclone Fani struck Odisha on Friday but a timely massive evocuation carried out by the state government averted the higher death toll. Iran using all resources to sell oil in 'grey market': Deputy minister Iran has mobilised all its resources to sell oil in a "grey market", bypassing US sanctions that Tehran sees as illegitimate, state media quoted Deputy Oil Minister Amir Hossein Zamaninia as saying on Sunday. Little scope for Jet Airways revival: Government sources The government sees little hope of a bidder emerging for debt-laden Jet Airways Ltd, which halted operations last month, a Reuters report said quoting two senior finance ministry officials. Exclusive: Sourav Ganguly on Delhi's chances of lifting IPL 2019 trophy Delhi's fortune changed in the 12th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) with the team managing to reach the knockout stage for the first time since 2012. Pope says emigration, low birth rates have brought 'ice curtain' on Europe Pope Francis urged European leaders on Sunday to address wealth inequality and low birth rates which he said had created an "ice curtain" between Europe's richer and poorer states and was fuelling emigration.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Except for damaging a few huts, Cyclone Fani did not cause much havoc in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said as the severe cyclonic storm weakened Saturday morning and headed towards neighbouring Bangladesh.&nbsp;

While flight operations resumed at the Kolkata airport at 9.57 am, train services on the Sealdah and Howrah sections are also getting back to normal.

The Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) resumed its routine operation Saturday morning at both Haldia and Kolkata docks.

"The entire administration was awake the whole night. We were very worried about the cyclone," Banerjee said.

She had cancelled her election programmes and stayed put at Kharagpur in West Midnapore district to monitor the situation.&nbsp;

"There was not much damage in the state. At least 850 mud houses in the districts were partially damaged, while 12 were destroyed," the chief minister said. 
Banerjee said the state government will extend help to people whose houses have been damaged due to the cyclone.

Trees uprooted in different parts of the state due to speedy wind have been removed and the roads cleared for plying of vehicles, she said.

Restoration of electricity snapped in different districts is underway.

"Around 42,000 people have been evacuated by our people who took them to relief shelters. The civic services have been restored in Digha, Mandarmoni, whereas it is work in progress at other places," she said.

The storm weakened on Saturday morning and moved towards Bangladesh. Kolkata witnessed wind speed of 30-40 kmph with moderate to heavy rainfall overnight.

The very severe cyclonic storm weakened into a severe cyclonic storm over the Odisha coast, before moving further north-northeastwards and entering West Bengal through Kharagpur in West Midnapore around 12.30 am Saturday, officials said.

"It has moved to Arambagh in Hooghly and is now in Nadia district from where it will go to Murshidabad district before entering Bangladesh. It is likely to continue to move north-northeastwards and weaken further over the next six hours," Deputy Director General of the Regional Meteorological Centre here, Sanjib Bandyopadhyay, told PTI.

Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim along with senior engineers of the civic body and local councillors was on a night-long vigil in and around the city to keep a tab on the situation.

"We had made arrangements to act on an emergency basis had Fani hit the city. But thank god, nothing major has happened," Hakim told PTI.

Much to the glee of passengers, flight operations which were suspended from 3 pm on Friday resumed at the Kolkata airport at 9.57 am Saturday, an Airports Authority of India (AAI) official said.

Air India was the first airline to start operating out of Kolkata airport, the official said, adding a GoAir flight from Delhi was the first flight to land in Kolkata at 10.10 am.

The AAI official said airlines had refunded fares of cancelled flights to the passengers and took care of them.

Very few passengers had stayed back at the airport on Friday, the official said.

Out of an average 224 daily flights, only 110 flights operated on Friday, the official said.

Train services on the Sealdah and Howrah sections are also getting back to normal, officials said.

The ferry services on river Hooghly, however, were yet to resume.&nbsp;

Five persons were injured when a portion of the roof of a hutment collapsed on Friday night in central Kolkata's Beniatola Lane, police said.

All of them were released after treatment.

Kolkata Port Trust chairman Vinit Kumar said there had been no damages to the port infrastructure.&nbsp;

"Operations at both Kolkata and Haldia docks have resumed since morning," he said.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi visited Kakdwip subdivision of South 24 Parganas district to review the situation after the area was affected by the cyclone.

Tripathi met local administration officials and interacted with people to ascertain the impact of Fani and the relief work.

"He also went to a multipurpose cyclone shelter in Madhusudanpur where people had taken shelter the preceding night," a source at the Raj Bhawan said.

The Governor will be visiting cyclone-affected areas of West Midnapur district on Sunday, he said.&nbsp;

Except for damaging a few huts, Cyclone Fani did not cause much havoc in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said as the severe cyclonic storm weakened Saturday morning and headed towards neighbouring Bangladesh.

Except for damaging a few huts, Cyclone Fani did not cause much havoc in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said as the severe cyclonic storm weakened Saturday morning and headed towards neighbouring Bangladesh. While flight operations resumed at the Kolkata airport at 9.57 am, train services on the Sealdah and Howrah sections are also getting back to normal. The Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) resumed its routine operation Saturday morning at both Haldia and Kolkata docks. "The entire administration was awake the whole night. We were very worried about the cyclone," Banerjee said. She had cancelled her election programmes and stayed put at Kharagpur in West Midnapore district to monitor the situation. "There was not much damage in the state. At least 850 mud houses in the districts were partially damaged, while 12 were destroyed," the chief minister said. Banerjee said the state government will extend help to people whose houses have been damaged due to the cyclone. Trees uprooted in different parts of the state due to speedy wind have been removed and the roads cleared for plying of vehicles, she said. Restoration of electricity snapped in different districts is underway. "Around 42,000 people have been evacuated by our people who took them to relief shelters. The civic services have been restored in Digha, Mandarmoni, whereas it is work in progress at other places," she said. The storm weakened on Saturday morning and moved towards Bangladesh. Kolkata witnessed wind speed of 30-40 kmph with moderate to heavy rainfall overnight. The very severe cyclonic storm weakened into a severe cyclonic storm over the Odisha coast, before moving further north-northeastwards and entering West Bengal through Kharagpur in West Midnapore around 12.30 am Saturday, officials said. "It has moved to Arambagh in Hooghly and is now in Nadia district from where it will go to Murshidabad district before entering Bangladesh. It is likely to continue to move north-northeastwards and weaken further over the next six hours," Deputy Director General of the Regional Meteorological Centre here, Sanjib Bandyopadhyay, told PTI. Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim along with senior engineers of the civic body and local councillors was on a night-long vigil in and around the city to keep a tab on the situation. "We had made arrangements to act on an emergency basis had Fani hit the city. But thank god, nothing major has happened," Hakim told PTI. Much to the glee of passengers, flight operations which were suspended from 3 pm on Friday resumed at the Kolkata airport at 9.57 am Saturday, an Airports Authority of India (AAI) official said. Air India was the first airline to start operating out of Kolkata airport, the official said, adding a GoAir flight from Delhi was the first flight to land in Kolkata at 10.10 am. The AAI official said airlines had refunded fares of cancelled flights to the passengers and took care of them. Very few passengers had stayed back at the airport on Friday, the official said. Out of an average 224 daily flights, only 110 flights operated on Friday, the official said. Train services on the Sealdah and Howrah sections are also getting back to normal, officials said. The ferry services on river Hooghly, however, were yet to resume. Five persons were injured when a portion of the roof of a hutment collapsed on Friday night in central Kolkata's Beniatola Lane, police said. All of them were released after treatment. Kolkata Port Trust chairman Vinit Kumar said there had been no damages to the port infrastructure. "Operations at both Kolkata and Haldia docks have resumed since morning," he said. Meanwhile, Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi visited Kakdwip subdivision of South 24 Parganas district to review the situation after the area was affected by the cyclone. Tripathi met local administration officials and interacted with people to ascertain the impact of Fani and the relief work. "He also went to a multipurpose cyclone shelter in Madhusudanpur where people had taken shelter the preceding night," a source at the Raj Bhawan said. The Governor will be visiting cyclone-affected areas of West Midnapur district on Sunday, he said.

Not much damage by Cyclone Fani in West Bengal: Mamata Banerjee

At least 33 people lost their lives after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-fani-telecom-firms-operationalise-over-900-base-stations-in-odisha-restoration-work-on-216062">cyclone Fani</a> struck Odisha on Friday but a timely massive evocuation carried out by the state government averted the higher death toll.&nbsp;

The death toll could have been much greater if not for the massive evacuation in the days before the storm made landfall, Reuters reported quoting officials.

Puri, which lay directly in the path of Fani, suffered extensive damage.

"The cyclone has killed 21 people in Puri and about 300 people are injured," Brajabandhu Dash, the report said quoting medical officer at Puri. Earlier, 12 deaths were reported from other parts of the state.

Many were left homeless after a cyclone packing winds of about 200 km per hour slammed into eastern India, ripping out tin roofs and destroying power and telecom lines, officials said on Sunday.

The depression over Meghalaya and adjoining Bangladesh has weakened, and will become insignificant in the next 24 hours, India's met department said on Twitter early on Sunday.

More than 60,000 people including officials and volunteers were involved in relief operations, said special relief commissioner Bishnupada Sethi, who monitored the evacuation.

Relief package

Announcing a relief package for those affected by the calamity, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said all families in Puri and in those parts of Khurda, which had been "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-fani-train-services-in-bhubaneswar-to-resume-today-216006">extremely severely affected</a>" in the storm, will get 50 kg of rice, Rs 2,000 in cash and polythene sheets, if covered under the Food Security Act (FSA).

For the rest of Khurda district -- categorised as "severely" affected -- the FSA families will get a month's quota of rice, Rs 1,000 in cash and polythene sheets, he added.

Those living in the "moderately-affected" districts of Cuttack, Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur will be eligible for a month's quota of rice and Rs 500 in cash, Patnaik said.

The chief minister also announced an assistance of Rs 95,100 for "fully-damaged" houses, Rs 52,000 for "partially-damaged" houses and Rs 3,200 for houses that had suffered minor damage.

Talking to reporters here, Patnaik claimed that water supply had been restored in 70 per cent areas of the worst-hit Puri town and 40 per cent of the places in state capital Bhubaneswar.

(With inputs from agencies)

At least 33 people lost their lives after cyclone Fani struck Odisha on Friday but a timely massive evocuation carried out by the state government averted the higher death toll.

At least 33 people lost their lives after cyclone Fani struck Odisha on Friday but a timely massive evocuation carried out by the state government averted the higher death toll. The death toll could have been much greater if not for the massive evacuation in the days before the storm made landfall, Reuters reported quoting officials. Puri, which lay directly in the path of Fani, suffered extensive damage. "The cyclone has killed 21 people in Puri and about 300 people are injured," Brajabandhu Dash, the report said quoting medical officer at Puri. Earlier, 12 deaths were reported from other parts of the state. Many were left homeless after a cyclone packing winds of about 200 km per hour slammed into eastern India, ripping out tin roofs and destroying power and telecom lines, officials said on Sunday. The depression over Meghalaya and adjoining Bangladesh has weakened, and will become insignificant in the next 24 hours, India's met department said on Twitter early on Sunday. More than 60,000 people including officials and volunteers were involved in relief operations, said special relief commissioner Bishnupada Sethi, who monitored the evacuation. Relief package Announcing a relief package for those affected by the calamity, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said all families in Puri and in those parts of Khurda, which had been "extremely severely affected" in the storm, will get 50 kg of rice, Rs 2,000 in cash and polythene sheets, if covered under the Food Security Act (FSA). For the rest of Khurda district -- categorised as "severely" affected -- the FSA families will get a month's quota of rice, Rs 1,000 in cash and polythene sheets, he added. Those living in the "moderately-affected" districts of Cuttack, Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur will be eligible for a month's quota of rice and Rs 500 in cash, Patnaik said. The chief minister also announced an assistance of Rs 95,100 for "fully-damaged" houses, Rs 52,000 for "partially-damaged" houses and Rs 3,200 for houses that had suffered minor damage. Talking to reporters here, Patnaik claimed that water supply had been restored in 70 per cent areas of the worst-hit Puri town and 40 per cent of the places in state capital Bhubaneswar. (With inputs from agencies)

Cyclone Fani: Death toll rises to 33 as CM Patnaik announces relief package

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-fani-telecom-firms-operationalise-over-900-base-stations-in-odisha-restoration-work-on-216062">death toll in Cyclone Fani rose to 29</a> on Sunday, two days after the "extremely severe" storm barrelled through coastal Odisha, causing widespread destruction and leaving hundreds grappling with water shortage and power cuts, an official said.

Announcing a relief package for those affected by the calamity, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said all families in Puri and in those parts of Khurda, which had been "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-fani-train-services-in-bhubaneswar-to-resume-today-216006">extremely severely affected</a>" in the storm, will get 50 kg of rice, Rs 2,000 in cash and polythene sheets, if covered under the Food Security Act (FSA).

For the rest of Khurda district -- categorised as "severely" affected -- the FSA families will get a month's quota of rice, Rs 1,000 in cash and polythene sheets, he added.

Those living in the "moderately-affected" districts of Cuttack, Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur will be eligible for a month's quota of rice and Rs 500 in cash, Patnaik said.

The chief minister also announced an assistance of Rs 95,100 for "fully-damaged" houses, Rs 52,000 for "partially-damaged" houses and Rs 3,200 for houses that had suffered minor damage.

Talking to reporters here, Patnaik claimed that water supply had been restored in 70 per cent areas of the worst-hit Puri town and 40 per cent of the places in state capital Bhubaneswar.

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"I am hoping that water supply will be fully restored in Bhubaneswar shortly and at least in 90 per cent areas of Puri town by this evening," the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) chief, who is seeking a fifth term in office, said.

"The government has made arrangements to provide cooked food for free over the next 15 days. We will also take up tree plantation on a mission mode," he added.

The chief minister, however, could not give the details on the status of the ongoing work for power restoration in the affected areas.

"We have to be very careful to avoid accidental electrocution," he said when asked if the power supply will be restored in the capital city, which continued without electricity for the third day on Sunday.

According to state Chief Secretary A P Padhi, 21 of the 29 deaths were registered in the pilgrim town of Puri, where the storm made landfall on Friday, flattening fragile houses, uprooting scores of trees, electric poles and mobile towers.

The government had mounted a massive restoration work across 10,000 villages and 52 urban areas ravaged by the storm, affecting nearly one crore people, he said.

The "extremely severe" cyclonic storm, one of the "rarest of rare", unleashed copious rain and windstorm that gusted up to 240 kmph on Friday, blowing away thatched houses and swamping towns and villages, before weakening and entering West Bengal.

Asserting that efforts were on to restore electricity in the affected areas, Energy Secretary Hemant Sharma said the power infrastructure was severely damaged in Puri, Khurda, Ganjam, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara and Balasore districts during the cyclone.

According to a state government official, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit Odisha to review the situation. Modi spoke to Patnaik on Saturday and assured continuous support from the Centre for the rehabilitation work.

The East Coast Railway (ECoR) partially resumed operations on the Howrah-Chennai route on Sunday.

"Barring the Bhubaneswar-Tirupati Express and the Visakhapatnam Intercity Express, all trains originating from the state capital, including the Bhubaneswar-New Delhi Rajdhani Express, will be running normally from Sunday," an ECoR official said.

The death toll in Cyclone Fani rose to 29 on Sunday, two days after the "extremely severe" storm barrelled through coastal Odisha, causing widespread destruction and leaving hundreds grappling with water shortage and power cuts, an official said.

The death toll in Cyclone Fani rose to 29 on Sunday, two days after the "extremely severe" storm barrelled through coastal Odisha, causing widespread destruction and leaving hundreds grappling with water shortage and power cuts, an official said. Announcing a relief package for those affected by the calamity, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said all families in Puri and in those parts of Khurda, which had been "extremely severely affected" in the storm, will get 50 kg of rice, Rs 2,000 in cash and polythene sheets, if covered under the Food Security Act (FSA). For the rest of Khurda district -- categorised as "severely" affected -- the FSA families will get a month's quota of rice, Rs 1,000 in cash and polythene sheets, he added. Those living in the "moderately-affected" districts of Cuttack, Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur will be eligible for a month's quota of rice and Rs 500 in cash, Patnaik said. The chief minister also announced an assistance of Rs 95,100 for "fully-damaged" houses, Rs 52,000 for "partially-damaged" houses and Rs 3,200 for houses that had suffered minor damage. Talking to reporters here, Patnaik claimed that water supply had been restored in 70 per cent areas of the worst-hit Puri town and 40 per cent of the places in state capital Bhubaneswar. "I am hoping that water supply will be fully restored in Bhubaneswar shortly and at least in 90 per cent areas of Puri town by this evening," the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) chief, who is seeking a fifth term in office, said. "The government has made arrangements to provide cooked food for free over the next 15 days. We will also take up tree plantation on a mission mode," he added. The chief minister, however, could not give the details on the status of the ongoing work for power restoration in the affected areas. "We have to be very careful to avoid accidental electrocution," he said when asked if the power supply will be restored in the capital city, which continued without electricity for the third day on Sunday. According to state Chief Secretary A P Padhi, 21 of the 29 deaths were registered in the pilgrim town of Puri, where the storm made landfall on Friday, flattening fragile houses, uprooting scores of trees, electric poles and mobile towers. The government had mounted a massive restoration work across 10,000 villages and 52 urban areas ravaged by the storm, affecting nearly one crore people, he said. The "extremely severe" cyclonic storm, one of the "rarest of rare", unleashed copious rain and windstorm that gusted up to 240 kmph on Friday, blowing away thatched houses and swamping towns and villages, before weakening and entering West Bengal. Asserting that efforts were on to restore electricity in the affected areas, Energy Secretary Hemant Sharma said the power infrastructure was severely damaged in Puri, Khurda, Ganjam, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara and Balasore districts during the cyclone. According to a state government official, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit Odisha to review the situation. Modi spoke to Patnaik on Saturday and assured continuous support from the Centre for the rehabilitation work. The East Coast Railway (ECoR) partially resumed operations on the Howrah-Chennai route on Sunday. "Barring the Bhubaneswar-Tirupati Express and the Visakhapatnam Intercity Express, all trains originating from the state capital, including the Bhubaneswar-New Delhi Rajdhani Express, will be running normally from Sunday," an ECoR official said.

Cyclone Fani: Death toll rises to 29 in Odisha, CM announces a relief package

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Saturday tried to contact West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to discuss cyclone Fani but could not do so as his calls were not returned, a top government official has said.

The prime minister then spoke to state governor Keshari Nath Tripathi, the official said.

"Two attempts were made by the prime minister's staff to connect Modi with Banerjee over the phone. On both the occasions they were told that the call would be returned. On one occasion they were told that the CM is on tour," the official said.

The statement came after the Trinamool Congress hit out at Modi for not talking to Banerjee about the ground situation in the state in wake of the cyclone.

The prime minister had tweeted about his discussion with the governor.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Saturday tried to contact West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to discuss cyclone Fani but could not do so as his calls were not returned, a top government official has said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Saturday tried to contact West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to discuss cyclone Fani but could not do so as his calls were not returned, a top government official has said. The prime minister then spoke to state governor Keshari Nath Tripathi, the official said. "Two attempts were made by the prime minister's staff to connect Modi with Banerjee over the phone. On both the occasions they were told that the call would be returned. On one occasion they were told that the CM is on tour," the official said. The statement came after the Trinamool Congress hit out at Modi for not talking to Banerjee about the ground situation in the state in wake of the cyclone. The prime minister had tweeted about his discussion with the governor.

PM Modi could not talk to Mamata over cyclone as his calls were not returned: Official

Telecom infrastructure restoration work is on in full swing in cyclone-hit Odisha, where mobile operators Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Reliance Jio have operationalised over 930 base transceiver stations (BTSs), official sources said.

State-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd's (BSNL) exchange at Puri has been made operational and mobile service BTS at the exchange building too is now working, they added.

Restoration work is underway in Odisha, which was battered by cyclonic storm 'Fani' on Friday morning.

Sources said that 932 BTSs (base stations for mobile communication) have been made operational by Airtel, Vodafone and Reliance Jio.

In neighbouring West Bengal, 206 BTSs are pending restoration, they added.

The Telecom Department has been closely monitoring the situation and holding review meetings with operators to oversee restoration work.

On Friday, when the storm pounded coastal parts of Odisha, the facility for free SMS was activated, and free interconnect between Airtel, Vodafone Idea, Reliance Jio and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) was facilitated to ensure calls can be made on whichever network is available.

Among other measures, helpline number 1938 was also activated.

Cyclonic storm 'Fani' slammed into the Odisha coast on Friday morning, packing heavy rain and winds with speeds of up to 175 kmph.

Telecom networks in some parts of Odisha, including Puri and Bhubaneswar, had suffered extensive network damage.&nbsp;

Telecom infrastructure restoration work is on in full swing in cyclone-hit Odisha, where mobile operators Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Reliance Jio have operationalised over 930 base transceiver stations (BTSs), official sources said.

Telecom infrastructure restoration work is on in full swing in cyclone-hit Odisha, where mobile operators Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Reliance Jio have operationalised over 930 base transceiver stations (BTSs), official sources said. State-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd's (BSNL) exchange at Puri has been made operational and mobile service BTS at the exchange building too is now working, they added. Restoration work is underway in Odisha, which was battered by cyclonic storm 'Fani' on Friday morning. Sources said that 932 BTSs (base stations for mobile communication) have been made operational by Airtel, Vodafone and Reliance Jio. In neighbouring West Bengal, 206 BTSs are pending restoration, they added. The Telecom Department has been closely monitoring the situation and holding review meetings with operators to oversee restoration work. On Friday, when the storm pounded coastal parts of Odisha, the facility for free SMS was activated, and free interconnect between Airtel, Vodafone Idea, Reliance Jio and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) was facilitated to ensure calls can be made on whichever network is available. Among other measures, helpline number 1938 was also activated. Cyclonic storm 'Fani' slammed into the Odisha coast on Friday morning, packing heavy rain and winds with speeds of up to 175 kmph. Telecom networks in some parts of Odisha, including Puri and Bhubaneswar, had suffered extensive network damage.

Cyclone Fani: Telecom firms operationalise over 900 base stations in Odisha; restoration work on

The winds of <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/videos/cyclone-fani-at-its-peak-strongest-storm-in-india-since-2014-215796&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi39brbqYHiAhWTiHAKHR7RCtkQFjACegQIDxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw35SaAS3nsd0KRXJ4Z8br3W">cyclone Fani</a> were felt hundreds of miles away from where it hit the eastern coast in India, after nearly 20 tents set up at the Everest Base Camp were blown off on Friday.

The Nepalese government has issued a warning, asking all trekking agencies and support staff to ensure the safety of tourists.

"We have received reports of some tents being damaged in the strong wind, but all the climbers and their support staff are safe," said Mira Acharya, the director of the Hotel and Mountaineering section under the Department of Tourism.

"We have alerted all agencies to keep their clients [mountaineers] safe and suspend their plans until the weather improves," he added.

Strong winds coupled with light to moderate rainfall occurred in some parts of eastern Nepal, reported the Kathmandu Post.

"Nepal will not have a direct impact from the cyclone, but it will partially impact out weather systems, primarily in the eastern part of the country," said Barun Paudel, a senior meteorologist at the Meteorological Forecasting Division (MDF).

Citing bad weather due to the cyclone, National Emergency Operation Centre has asked tour operators to suspend all helicopter flights till Saturday.

Cyclone Fani made landfall in the morning of May 3 and wreaked havoc in the state of Odisha.

It has claimed three lives and left more than 160 injured, besides causing large scale destruction of property.

The winds of cyclone Fani were felt hundreds of miles away from where it hit the eastern coast in India, after nearly 20 tents set up at the Everest Base Camp were blown off on Friday.

The winds of cyclone Fani were felt hundreds of miles away from where it hit the eastern coast in India, after nearly 20 tents set up at the Everest Base Camp were blown off on Friday. The Nepalese government has issued a warning, asking all trekking agencies and support staff to ensure the safety of tourists. "We have received reports of some tents being damaged in the strong wind, but all the climbers and their support staff are safe," said Mira Acharya, the director of the Hotel and Mountaineering section under the Department of Tourism. "We have alerted all agencies to keep their clients [mountaineers] safe and suspend their plans until the weather improves," he added. Strong winds coupled with light to moderate rainfall occurred in some parts of eastern Nepal, reported the Kathmandu Post. "Nepal will not have a direct impact from the cyclone, but it will partially impact out weather systems, primarily in the eastern part of the country," said Barun Paudel, a senior meteorologist at the Meteorological Forecasting Division (MDF). Citing bad weather due to the cyclone, National Emergency Operation Centre has asked tour operators to suspend all helicopter flights till Saturday. Cyclone Fani made landfall in the morning of May 3 and wreaked havoc in the state of Odisha. It has claimed three lives and left more than 160 injured, besides causing large scale destruction of property.

Cyclone Fani blows off 20 tents at Everest base camp

The death toll in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/cyclone-fani-and-why-it-is-so-powerful-215425#largescale-evacuations-215421">Cyclone Fani </a>rose to 16 in Odisha Saturday as the government mounted a massive restoration work across 10,000 villages and 52 urban areas ravaged by the storm that pounded coastal parts of the state, affecting nearly one crore people.

The extremely severe cyclonic storm, that made landfall at Puri on Friday, was one of the "rarest of the rare" summer cyclones -- the first to hit Odisha in 43 years and one of the three to hit in the last 150 years.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-fani-barrels-into-bangladesh-at-least-9-dead-india-grapples-with-aftermath-215854">Cyclone Fani barrels into Bangladesh, at least 9 dead</a>

It unleashed copious rain and windstorm that gusted up to 240 kmph, blowing away thatched houses and swamping towns and villages, before weakening and entering into West Bengal, officials said.

It was the severest cyclone to hit the state since the Super Cyclone of 1999, which had claimed nearly 10,000 lives and devastated vast areas of the state.

The toll due to Cyclone Fani, which stood at eight on Friday, mounted to 16 Saturday -- four deaths in Mayurbhanj district, 3 each in Puri, Bhubaneswar and Jajpur; and 1 each in Keonjhar, Nayagarh and Kendrapara, officials said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit Odisha. He spoke to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and assured continuous support from the Centre.

"Spoke to Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik Ji and discussed the situation prevailing due to Cyclone Fani. Assured continuous support from the Central Government... The entire nation stands in solidarity with all those affected by the cyclone in different parts," Modi tweeted.

The extremely severe cyclone flattened thatched and kutcha houses, uprooted lakhs of trees, besides electric poles and mobile towers in the coastal Odisha.

The seaside pilgrim town of Puri was the worst hit. Equally devastated were capital Bhubaneswar and neighbouring Cuttack city which plunged into darkness since Friday with the collapse of the power infrastructure.

Chief Minister Patnaik, who reviewed the situation, said the cyclone tore apart critical infrastructure especially power, telecom and water supply.

"Lakhs of trees were uprooted in the cyclone blocking roads, damaging houses and damaging public infrastructure," he said.

"In fact, for Puri district and parts of Khurda where power infrastructure has been totally devastated, we face the challenge of having to set up the entire electrification afresh," Patnaik said.

The districts of Cuttack, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal and Nayagarh have also been affected and detailed information is being collected, he said.

Informing that work is in progress on a war footing for restoration of power and water supply, he said hundreds of engineers and technicians were working to restore the services.

Work is on to restore road communication, Patnaik said, adding four senior officers have been entrusted with the task of monitoring relief, restoration and rehabilitation operations.

The CM said free cooked food will be provided to the cyclone affected people for the next 15 days.

Referring to the devastating Super Cyclone of 1999, Patnaik said, "We are in the process of restoring critical infrastructure."

An estimated one crore people in 10,000 villages and 52 urban agglomerations in around 14 districts were affected by Cyclone Fani, said a senior official.

Men and machinery of NDRF, Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force and fire services have launched a massive restoration work, state Special Relief Commissioner B P Sethi said.

Energy secretary Hemant Sharma said around 30 lakh power consumers have been affected. Power infra has been severely damaged in Puri, Khurda, Ganjam, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara and Balasore districts and efforts are on to restore complete normalcy at the earliest.

In Bhubaneswar city, over 10,000 electric poles have either been uprooted or broken, he said, adding efforts are on to restore power supply in crucial establishments like airport, railway station and hospitals by Saturday night.

Sethi said around 10,000 low power transformers have been damaged due to the cyclone and the government has approached the Steel Authority of India Ltd for expeditious supply of electric poles.

He said the Centre has postponed the examination date for Odisha students who were to appear for NEET and AIIMS examinations. The state has so far been able to restore all national and state highways and district roads.

The state has received additional four NDRF teams for restoration. Most of the NDRF personnel are engaged in Puri, Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, he said.

Officials said the Indian Navy, Air Force and Army are on standby to assist in relief and rescue work. The quick reaction team of the premier Naval Training Establishment, INS Chilka located in Odisha was immediately deployed, they said.

The CM said 12 lakh people had been evacuated and shifted to safer locations 24 hours ahead of the cyclone in probably the largest such exercise in the country.

Flight operations at Bhubaneswar airport resumed Saturday and many stranded passengers were sent to Delhi by a special plane, an official said.

The Gopalpur Port also resumed operations on Saturday after suspending work on Friday. Train services were also partially resumed on Howrah-Chennai route, an East Coast Railway (ECoR) official said.

He said trains originating from Bhubaneswar, including the Bhubaneswar-New Delhi Rajdhani Express will run normally from Sunday barring the Bhubaneswar-Tirupati Express and Visakhapatnam Intercity Express.&nbsp;

There will be no trains to and from Puri till May 10 at least, the official said.&nbsp;

The death toll in the Cyclone Fani rose to 16 in Odisha Saturday as the government mounted a massive restoration work across 10,000 villages and 52 urban areas ravaged by the storm that pounded coastal parts of the state, affecting nearly one crore people.

The death toll in the Cyclone Fani rose to 16 in Odisha Saturday as the government mounted a massive restoration work across 10,000 villages and 52 urban areas ravaged by the storm that pounded coastal parts of the state, affecting nearly one crore people. The extremely severe cyclonic storm, that made landfall at Puri on Friday, was one of the "rarest of the rare" summer cyclones -- the first to hit Odisha in 43 years and one of the three to hit in the last 150 years. Also read: Cyclone Fani barrels into Bangladesh, at least 9 dead It unleashed copious rain and windstorm that gusted up to 240 kmph, blowing away thatched houses and swamping towns and villages, before weakening and entering into West Bengal, officials said. It was the severest cyclone to hit the state since the Super Cyclone of 1999, which had claimed nearly 10,000 lives and devastated vast areas of the state. The toll due to Cyclone Fani, which stood at eight on Friday, mounted to 16 Saturday -- four deaths in Mayurbhanj district, 3 each in Puri, Bhubaneswar and Jajpur; and 1 each in Keonjhar, Nayagarh and Kendrapara, officials said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit Odisha. He spoke to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and assured continuous support from the Centre. "Spoke to Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik Ji and discussed the situation prevailing due to Cyclone Fani. Assured continuous support from the Central Government... The entire nation stands in solidarity with all those affected by the cyclone in different parts," Modi tweeted. The extremely severe cyclone flattened thatched and kutcha houses, uprooted lakhs of trees, besides electric poles and mobile towers in the coastal Odisha. The seaside pilgrim town of Puri was the worst hit. Equally devastated were capital Bhubaneswar and neighbouring Cuttack city which plunged into darkness since Friday with the collapse of the power infrastructure. Chief Minister Patnaik, who reviewed the situation, said the cyclone tore apart critical infrastructure especially power, telecom and water supply. "Lakhs of trees were uprooted in the cyclone blocking roads, damaging houses and damaging public infrastructure," he said. "In fact, for Puri district and parts of Khurda where power infrastructure has been totally devastated, we face the challenge of having to set up the entire electrification afresh," Patnaik said. The districts of Cuttack, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal and Nayagarh have also been affected and detailed information is being collected, he said. Informing that work is in progress on a war footing for restoration of power and water supply, he said hundreds of engineers and technicians were working to restore the services. Work is on to restore road communication, Patnaik said, adding four senior officers have been entrusted with the task of monitoring relief, restoration and rehabilitation operations. The CM said free cooked food will be provided to the cyclone affected people for the next 15 days. Referring to the devastating Super Cyclone of 1999, Patnaik said, "We are in the process of restoring critical infrastructure." An estimated one crore people in 10,000 villages and 52 urban agglomerations in around 14 districts were affected by Cyclone Fani, said a senior official. Men and machinery of NDRF, Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force and fire services have launched a massive restoration work, state Special Relief Commissioner B P Sethi said. Energy secretary Hemant Sharma said around 30 lakh power consumers have been affected. Power infra has been severely damaged in Puri, Khurda, Ganjam, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara and Balasore districts and efforts are on to restore complete normalcy at the earliest. In Bhubaneswar city, over 10,000 electric poles have either been uprooted or broken, he said, adding efforts are on to restore power supply in crucial establishments like airport, railway station and hospitals by Saturday night. Sethi said around 10,000 low power transformers have been damaged due to the cyclone and the government has approached the Steel Authority of India Ltd for expeditious supply of electric poles. He said the Centre has postponed the examination date for Odisha students who were to appear for NEET and AIIMS examinations. The state has so far been able to restore all national and state highways and district roads. The state has received additional four NDRF teams for restoration. Most of the NDRF personnel are engaged in Puri, Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, he said. Officials said the Indian Navy, Air Force and Army are on standby to assist in relief and rescue work. The quick reaction team of the premier Naval Training Establishment, INS Chilka located in Odisha was immediately deployed, they said. The CM said 12 lakh people had been evacuated and shifted to safer locations 24 hours ahead of the cyclone in probably the largest such exercise in the country. Flight operations at Bhubaneswar airport resumed Saturday and many stranded passengers were sent to Delhi by a special plane, an official said. The Gopalpur Port also resumed operations on Saturday after suspending work on Friday. Train services were also partially resumed on Howrah-Chennai route, an East Coast Railway (ECoR) official said. He said trains originating from Bhubaneswar, including the Bhubaneswar-New Delhi Rajdhani Express will run normally from Sunday barring the Bhubaneswar-Tirupati Express and Visakhapatnam Intercity Express. There will be no trains to and from Puri till May 10 at least, the official said.

16 dead in Odisha in Cyclone Fani, massive restoration work mounted

No casualty recorded in West Bengal as Cyclone Fani passes. Watch this video to know more.

No casualties recorded in West Bengal as Cyclone Fani passes

As the cyclone, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-fani-makes-landfall-in-west-bengal-215767">Fani wreaked havoc in Odisha on Friday</a> leaving a trail of destruction behind it, Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the situation with Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Governor Ganeshi Lal and assured all support from the Central government.

The PM will also visit Odisha on May 6 to 'take stock of the situation'.

"Spoke to Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik Ji and discussed the situation prevailing due to cyclone Fani. Assured continuous support from the Central Government in the wake of the cyclone. The entire nation stands in solidarity with all those affected by the cyclone in different parts," tweeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Had a discussion with Odisha Governor Professor Ganeshi Lal Ji on the situation in the state due to Cyclone Fani. Assured all possible help from the Centre to the sisters and brothers of Odisha, who are showing exemplary courage in the face of a natural disaster," said PM in a subsequent tweet.

Also, in the wake up of the fact that cyclone Fani reached West Bengal, PM held discussion with West Bengal Governor over the same. "Spoke to Shri Keshari Nath Tripathi Ji, the Governor of West Bengal on the situation due to Cyclone Fani. Reiterated the Centre`s readiness to provide all help needed to cope with the cyclone. Also conveyed my solidarity with the people of Bengal in the wake of Cyclone Fani," he tweeted.

"Severe Cyclone FANI weakened into a Cyclonic Storm and lay centred at 60 km NW of Kolkata at 0530 IST of 4th May. To weaken into Deep Depression and move into Bangladesh by noon," tweeted IMD.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik held a review meeting with senior officials on the destruction caused by Fani in the state last night. Patnaik said in the last 24 hours, over 12 lakh people have been evacuated from vulnerable districts to safer locations.

"Just now, I reviewed the cyclone situation with the chief secretary and other senior officers. Our first priority is to evacuate people living in vulnerable areas, including kutcha houses. In the last 24 hours, 12 lakh people have been evacuated to safer locations and they are being taken care of in shelters. As we speak, Fani (pronounced Foni) is still passing through Odisha, and an assessment of damage will be possible only after it crosses the state," he said.

Patnaik said Puri, where the cyclone made landfall, has suffered the most amount of damage."Restoration of electricity is a challenge. Electricity supply will be restored in Ganjam by tomorrow. Restoration of communication has been completed in Ganjam and Gajapati districts," he added.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Fani moved north-northeastwards at 20 kmph in the last six hours and weakened into a "severe6 cyclonic storm".

Cyclone Fani made landfall in the morning of May 3 and wreaked havoc in the state of Odisha. It has claimed three lives and left more than 160 injured, besides causing large scale destruction of property.&nbsp;

As the cyclone, Fani wreaked havoc in Odisha on Friday leaving a trail of destruction behind it, Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the situation with Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Governor Ganeshi Lal and assured all support from the Central government.

As the cyclone, Fani wreaked havoc in Odisha on Friday leaving a trail of destruction behind it, Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the situation with Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Governor Ganeshi Lal and assured all support from the Central government. The PM will also visit Odisha on May 6 to 'take stock of the situation'. "Spoke to Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik Ji and discussed the situation prevailing due to cyclone Fani. Assured continuous support from the Central Government in the wake of the cyclone. The entire nation stands in solidarity with all those affected by the cyclone in different parts," tweeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Had a discussion with Odisha Governor Professor Ganeshi Lal Ji on the situation in the state due to Cyclone Fani. Assured all possible help from the Centre to the sisters and brothers of Odisha, who are showing exemplary courage in the face of a natural disaster," said PM in a subsequent tweet. Also, in the wake up of the fact that cyclone Fani reached West Bengal, PM held discussion with West Bengal Governor over the same. "Spoke to Shri Keshari Nath Tripathi Ji, the Governor of West Bengal on the situation due to Cyclone Fani. Reiterated the Centre`s readiness to provide all help needed to cope with the cyclone. Also conveyed my solidarity with the people of Bengal in the wake of Cyclone Fani," he tweeted. "Severe Cyclone FANI weakened into a Cyclonic Storm and lay centred at 60 km NW of Kolkata at 0530 IST of 4th May. To weaken into Deep Depression and move into Bangladesh by noon," tweeted IMD. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik held a review meeting with senior officials on the destruction caused by Fani in the state last night. Patnaik said in the last 24 hours, over 12 lakh people have been evacuated from vulnerable districts to safer locations. "Just now, I reviewed the cyclone situation with the chief secretary and other senior officers. Our first priority is to evacuate people living in vulnerable areas, including kutcha houses. In the last 24 hours, 12 lakh people have been evacuated to safer locations and they are being taken care of in shelters. As we speak, Fani (pronounced Foni) is still passing through Odisha, and an assessment of damage will be possible only after it crosses the state," he said. Patnaik said Puri, where the cyclone made landfall, has suffered the most amount of damage."Restoration of electricity is a challenge. Electricity supply will be restored in Ganjam by tomorrow. Restoration of communication has been completed in Ganjam and Gajapati districts," he added. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Fani moved north-northeastwards at 20 kmph in the last six hours and weakened into a "severe6 cyclonic storm". Cyclone Fani made landfall in the morning of May 3 and wreaked havoc in the state of Odisha. It has claimed three lives and left more than 160 injured, besides causing large scale destruction of property.

Cyclone Fani: PM Modi to visit Odisha on May 6, discusses situation with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik

Cyclone Fani is at its peak everywhere. This has been declared the strongest storm in India since 2014. This video credit goes to one of the viewer of WION from odisha.

Cyclone Fani at its peak, strongest storm in India since 2014

The Jharkhand government issued an advisory on Friday, asking all district deputy commissioners to set up control rooms to meet any exigency in the wake of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-fani-makes-landfall-in-west-bengal-215767">cyclonic storm 'Fani'</a>.

An official release, quoting the regional meteorological department, said from the afternoon of May 3 to May 4, widespread rains accompanied by strong winds will occur in all the 24 districts of the state.

Several districts are already experiencing rains, officials said.

Meanwhile, a woman died after a wall of her house collapsed, following a sudden storm at Sajwan village in Palamau district, they said.

The woman, identified as Muni Kumari, died on the spot after the mud wall fell on her, the officials said.

The storm was not under the impact of 'Fani', they added.

All educational institutions in Palamau district will remain closed on Saturday, the release said.

Earlier on Friday, cyclone 'Fani' barrelled through Odisha, unleashing copious rain and windstorm that gusted up to 175 kmph, killing at least eight people.

The Jharkhand government issued an advisory on Friday, asking all district deputy commissioners to set up control rooms to meet any exigency in the wake of the cyclonic storm 'Fani'.

The Jharkhand government issued an advisory on Friday, asking all district deputy commissioners to set up control rooms to meet any exigency in the wake of the cyclonic storm 'Fani'. An official release, quoting the regional meteorological department, said from the afternoon of May 3 to May 4, widespread rains accompanied by strong winds will occur in all the 24 districts of the state. Several districts are already experiencing rains, officials said. Meanwhile, a woman died after a wall of her house collapsed, following a sudden storm at Sajwan village in Palamau district, they said. The woman, identified as Muni Kumari, died on the spot after the mud wall fell on her, the officials said. The storm was not under the impact of 'Fani', they added. All educational institutions in Palamau district will remain closed on Saturday, the release said. Earlier on Friday, cyclone 'Fani' barrelled through Odisha, unleashing copious rain and windstorm that gusted up to 175 kmph, killing at least eight people.

Jharkhand asks district commissioners to be alert in wake of 'Fani'

Cyclone Fani, the strongest to hit India in five years, crashed into Odisha on Friday, mowing down infrastructure and farms but authorities appeared to have kept the death toll down, following a mammoth evacuation effort.

8 casualities so far as Cyclone Fani hits out Odisha

Reports claimed that Cyclone Fani to reach Assam & Bangladesh by today...

Cyclone Fani to reach Assam, Bangladesh by today

Watch How Cyclone Fani racked havoc in East India.

Cyclone Fani racked havoc in East India

Cyclone Fani has left 14 people dead after it left a trail of destruction across Odisha and West Bengal.

Cyclone Fani kills at least 14 as it moves to Bangladesh

Over 400,000 people, who reside along the coast have been evacuated as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-fani-bites-odisha-eight-dead-naveen-patnaik-holds-review-meeting-215768">cyclone Fani</a> made landfall along India's eastern, killing at least three people, on Friday afternoon, Bangladesh's Disaster Management and Relief said.

Dhaka Tribune quoted State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief, Enamur Rahman, as saying that nearly 404,225 people from the coastal regions have been evacuated and taken to cyclone shelters before Fani hits the low-lying country.

"We started evacuating people at 10 am on Friday," the state minister told reporters during a conference held at the Food Ministry in Dhaka on Friday.

"Until 12 pm, 404,225 have been taken to cyclone shelters. We are hopeful we will be able to take everyone into cyclone shelters by 5 pm," he added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/cyclone-fani-and-why-it-is-so-powerful-215425">In pics:&nbsp;Cyclone Fani and why it is so powerful</a>

Around 4,071 centres in 19 districts across Bangladesh have been prepared to take in 2,200,000-2,500,000 people by 5 pm, Enamur said.

To counter cyclone Fani, around 56,000 members of Cyclone Preparedness Program (CPP), including the navy, police, coast guard, Fire Service, Red Crescent, Scouts, local representatives, and the district administration have been assigned, the state minister noted.

He said, "We have taken preparations in such a manner that not one life will be lost to the cyclone," adding, "However if the wind speeds cross 200km/hr, we will not able to save the 11,000 hectares of croplands in Khulna region."

Disabled people, pregnant women, and children will be given preference while moving the people to cyclone shelters, Enamur told Dhaka Tribune.

"There are different rooms for disabled people. We have also allocated an extra (Bangladeshi Taka) Tk1,000,000's-worth of rations to the deputy commissioners, and 200 tonnes of GR rice.

Meanwhile, 45,000 packets of dry food have been also been kept at the shelters," the state minister added.

He said that the shelters will be powered using solar energy, while further stating, "Where there are no solar panels, pressurized paraffin lights will be used.

"Meanwhile, Secretary of the prime minister's office, Nazibur Rahman told Dhaka Tribune, "The prime minister's office is constantly monitoring the situation. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is currently in London, has instructed us to take all measures to fight Fani, regardless of whether it weakens, or not."

The cyclone lashed Odisha, triggering heavy rainfall accompanied by wind touching the speed of 200 kmph, leaving behind a trail of destruction that included damaged houses, uprooted trees and electricity poles in the region.

In addition, aid agencies are also concerned for the Rohingya refugees who fled ethnic violence in Myanmar and are living in refugee camps in Bangladesh near the coast, CNN reported.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) tweeted on Wednesday that it had prepared 135 emergency response containers with sleeping mats, blankets, rope, and other resources.

Key among the items are emergency tents which can be "rapidly deployed" if families'&nbsp;makeshift shelters collapse during the storm.

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Over 400,000 people, who reside along the coast have been evacuated as cyclone Fani made landfall along India's eastern, killing at least three people, on Friday afternoon, Bangladesh's Disaster Management and Relief said.

Over 400,000 people, who reside along the coast have been evacuated as cyclone Fani made landfall along India's eastern, killing at least three people, on Friday afternoon, Bangladesh's Disaster Management and Relief said. Dhaka Tribune quoted State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief, Enamur Rahman, as saying that nearly 404,225 people from the coastal regions have been evacuated and taken to cyclone shelters before Fani hits the low-lying country. "We started evacuating people at 10 am on Friday," the state minister told reporters during a conference held at the Food Ministry in Dhaka on Friday. "Until 12 pm, 404,225 have been taken to cyclone shelters. We are hopeful we will be able to take everyone into cyclone shelters by 5 pm," he added. In pics: Cyclone Fani and why it is so powerful Around 4,071 centres in 19 districts across Bangladesh have been prepared to take in 2,200,000-2,500,000 people by 5 pm, Enamur said. To counter cyclone Fani, around 56,000 members of Cyclone Preparedness Program (CPP), including the navy, police, coast guard, Fire Service, Red Crescent, Scouts, local representatives, and the district administration have been assigned, the state minister noted. He said, "We have taken preparations in such a manner that not one life will be lost to the cyclone," adding, "However if the wind speeds cross 200km/hr, we will not able to save the 11,000 hectares of croplands in Khulna region." Disabled people, pregnant women, and children will be given preference while moving the people to cyclone shelters, Enamur told Dhaka Tribune. "There are different rooms for disabled people. We have also allocated an extra (Bangladeshi Taka) Tk1,000,000's-worth of rations to the deputy commissioners, and 200 tonnes of GR rice. Meanwhile, 45,000 packets of dry food have been also been kept at the shelters," the state minister added. He said that the shelters will be powered using solar energy, while further stating, "Where there are no solar panels, pressurized paraffin lights will be used. "Meanwhile, Secretary of the prime minister's office, Nazibur Rahman told Dhaka Tribune, "The prime minister's office is constantly monitoring the situation. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is currently in London, has instructed us to take all measures to fight Fani, regardless of whether it weakens, or not." The cyclone lashed Odisha, triggering heavy rainfall accompanied by wind touching the speed of 200 kmph, leaving behind a trail of destruction that included damaged houses, uprooted trees and electricity poles in the region. In addition, aid agencies are also concerned for the Rohingya refugees who fled ethnic violence in Myanmar and are living in refugee camps in Bangladesh near the coast, CNN reported. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) tweeted on Wednesday that it had prepared 135 emergency response containers with sleeping mats, blankets, rope, and other resources. Key among the items are emergency tents which can be "rapidly deployed" if families' makeshift shelters collapse during the storm. ×

Over 4 lakh people evacuated as Bangladesh braces for cyclone Fani

Cyclone 'Fani' barrelled through Odisha on Friday, unleashing copious rain and windstorm that gusted up to 175 kmph, killing at least eight people, blowing away thatched houses, and swamping towns and villages, officials said.

The extremely <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-fani-makes-landfall-in-west-bengal-215767">severe cyclonic storm 'Fani'</a> or the 'Hood of Snake' made landfall around 8 am in Puri, with roaring winds flattening huts, enveloping the pilgrim town in sheets of rain, and submerging homes.

Though the 'extremely severe' cyclone unexpectedly weakened into 'very severe' cyclonic storm in a matter of few hours, it left a trail of devastation in large parts of coastal Odisha, with the seaside pilgrim town of Puri being the worst hit.

At least eight people have been reported dead so far in the state, senior officials said, adding information was still awaited from many areas.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/cyclone-fani-and-why-it-is-so-powerful-215425">In pics:&nbsp;Cyclone Fani and why it is so powerful</a>

While three people, including a teenage boy, were reported killed in Puri district, three perished in Bhubaneswar and nearby areas. Flying debris from a concrete structure fatally struck a woman in Nayagarh. An elderly woman died of a heart attack at a relief shelter in Kendrapara district, official sources said.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, held a review meeting with senior officials on the destruction caused by the cyclone in the state.

Speaking to media in Bhubaneshwar after the meeting, Patnaik said in the last 24 hours, over 12 lakh people have been evacuated from vulnerable districts to safer locations.

He also informed, Puri district, particularly the holy town where the cyclone first hit the land mass, suffered huge damage. "Energy infrastructure has been completely destroyed. Restoration of electricity is a challenging task," he said.

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Hundreds of engineers and technicians were working on a war-footing to restore power supply.

Work is on to restore road communication, thrown into disarray with thousands of uprooted trees blocking the way in innumerable places, Patnaik said.

The chief minister said since the cyclone is still passing through Odisha, it will take time to make an assessment of the damage.

The cyclonic system, whose eye is around 28 km wide, moved at around 30 kmph, Director of the Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, H R Biswas said soon after Fani made the landfall.

But within the system, the winds reached speeds of up to 175 kilometres per hour that gusted up to 200 kmph, leaving in their wake uprooted trees and thatched structures, including in the state capital Bhubaneswar.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) DIG Randeep Rana said not many casualties were reported so far as precautionary measures were in place.

The chief minister said nearly 12 lakh people were evacuated and shifted to safer locations within 24 hours ahead of the cyclone from about 10,000 villages and 52 urban agglomerations in probably the largest such exercise at the time of a natural calamity in the country.

The evacuees have been accommodated in over 4,000 shelters, including 880 specially designed cyclone centres where free cooked food is being served to them, he said.

Telecommunication lines got snapped in several parts of state capital Bhubaneswar and several other areas. Mobile towers were damaged and the power supply was disconnected in many places.

Large-scale damage to thatched and old houses was reported from Puri, Khurda and Cuttack districts, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) B P Sethi said.

Summer crops, orchards and plantations also suffered huge damage, he said.

National TV channels showed videos claimed to have been shot by residents of Bhubaneswar where a bus was seen bobbing under the impact of the windstorm before flipping on its side.

A police booth was dragged some 200 ft on a highway by furious winds, while a massive crane alongside a multi-storeyed under-construction building collapsed on a row of empty huts, jolted by the howling storm.

Flight operations at <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bhubaneswar-airports-equipment-significantly-damaged-flight-ops-likely-from-1pm-saturday-govt-215744">Bhubaneswar airport remained suspended</a> on Friday, while Paradip and Gopalpur ports were also closed as a precautionary measure.

Around 220 trains on Howrah-Chennai route have been cancelled keeping in view passengers' safety, an East Coast Railway (ECoR) official said.

As Fani pummelled Odisha, neighbouring West Bengal braced itself for its fury.

The sky was overcast in Kolkata and several other places since Friday morning as rain came in spurts, inundating several parts of the state capital.

Traffic snarls were reported from different places in the city.

Meanwhile, '<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-fani-makes-landfall-in-west-bengal-215767">Fani'&nbsp;made landfall in West Bengal this morning</a>, India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Saturday.

The cyclonic story crossed Kharagpur and is likely to continue further in North-East direction with a wind speed of 90 km/hour.

Cyclone 'Fani' barrelled through Odisha on Friday, unleashing copious rain and windstorm that gusted up to 175 kmph, killing at least eight people, blowing away thatched houses, and swamping towns and villages, officials said.

Cyclone 'Fani' barrelled through Odisha on Friday, unleashing copious rain and windstorm that gusted up to 175 kmph, killing at least eight people, blowing away thatched houses, and swamping towns and villages, officials said. The extremely severe cyclonic storm 'Fani' or the 'Hood of Snake' made landfall around 8 am in Puri, with roaring winds flattening huts, enveloping the pilgrim town in sheets of rain, and submerging homes. Though the 'extremely severe' cyclone unexpectedly weakened into 'very severe' cyclonic storm in a matter of few hours, it left a trail of devastation in large parts of coastal Odisha, with the seaside pilgrim town of Puri being the worst hit. At least eight people have been reported dead so far in the state, senior officials said, adding information was still awaited from many areas. In pics: Cyclone Fani and why it is so powerful While three people, including a teenage boy, were reported killed in Puri district, three perished in Bhubaneswar and nearby areas. Flying debris from a concrete structure fatally struck a woman in Nayagarh. An elderly woman died of a heart attack at a relief shelter in Kendrapara district, official sources said. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, held a review meeting with senior officials on the destruction caused by the cyclone in the state. Speaking to media in Bhubaneshwar after the meeting, Patnaik said in the last 24 hours, over 12 lakh people have been evacuated from vulnerable districts to safer locations. He also informed, Puri district, particularly the holy town where the cyclone first hit the land mass, suffered huge damage. "Energy infrastructure has been completely destroyed. Restoration of electricity is a challenging task," he said. × Hundreds of engineers and technicians were working on a war-footing to restore power supply. Work is on to restore road communication, thrown into disarray with thousands of uprooted trees blocking the way in innumerable places, Patnaik said. The chief minister said since the cyclone is still passing through Odisha, it will take time to make an assessment of the damage. The cyclonic system, whose eye is around 28 km wide, moved at around 30 kmph, Director of the Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, H R Biswas said soon after Fani made the landfall. But within the system, the winds reached speeds of up to 175 kilometres per hour that gusted up to 200 kmph, leaving in their wake uprooted trees and thatched structures, including in the state capital Bhubaneswar. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) DIG Randeep Rana said not many casualties were reported so far as precautionary measures were in place. The chief minister said nearly 12 lakh people were evacuated and shifted to safer locations within 24 hours ahead of the cyclone from about 10,000 villages and 52 urban agglomerations in probably the largest such exercise at the time of a natural calamity in the country. The evacuees have been accommodated in over 4,000 shelters, including 880 specially designed cyclone centres where free cooked food is being served to them, he said. Telecommunication lines got snapped in several parts of state capital Bhubaneswar and several other areas. Mobile towers were damaged and the power supply was disconnected in many places. Large-scale damage to thatched and old houses was reported from Puri, Khurda and Cuttack districts, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) B P Sethi said. Summer crops, orchards and plantations also suffered huge damage, he said. National TV channels showed videos claimed to have been shot by residents of Bhubaneswar where a bus was seen bobbing under the impact of the windstorm before flipping on its side. A police booth was dragged some 200 ft on a highway by furious winds, while a massive crane alongside a multi-storeyed under-construction building collapsed on a row of empty huts, jolted by the howling storm. Flight operations at Bhubaneswar airport remained suspended on Friday, while Paradip and Gopalpur ports were also closed as a precautionary measure. Around 220 trains on Howrah-Chennai route have been cancelled keeping in view passengers' safety, an East Coast Railway (ECoR) official said. As Fani pummelled Odisha, neighbouring West Bengal braced itself for its fury. The sky was overcast in Kolkata and several other places since Friday morning as rain came in spurts, inundating several parts of the state capital. Traffic snarls were reported from different places in the city. Meanwhile, 'Fani' made landfall in West Bengal this morning, India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Saturday. The cyclonic story crossed Kharagpur and is likely to continue further in North-East direction with a wind speed of 90 km/hour.

Cyclone Fani: 8 people dead in Odisha, CM Naveen Patnaik holds review meeting

According to the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (ODRR).The Indian government's "zero casualty" policy for cyclones and the accuracy of the IMD's early warning system have helped reduce the possibility of deaths from cyclone Fani.

Cyclone Fani: UN agency praises India's zero casualty policy

The UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), which works towards the substantial reduction of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-fani-makes-landfall-in-west-bengal-215767">disaster risk </a>and losses to ensure a sustainable future, &nbsp;has lauded India Metrological Department (IMD) for providing "pinpoint" information that helped authorities to minimize loss of life.

Denis McClean, spokesperson for the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) said, "They seem to have done a good job in terms of minimising the possibility of a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/cyclone-fani-and-why-it-is-so-powerful-215425">loss of life</a>...A huge effort has been made to reduce the possibility of a loss of life in this instance"

India has been focusing on zero causality policy when it comes to cyclone preparedness and in the past has been able to prove its performances. When Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm Phaili hit India in 2013, India was able to keep the casualty figures as low as 45, despite its intensity.

McClean who spoke to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) head said, "the almost pinpoint accuracy of the early warnings from the Indian Meteorological Department had allowed the authorities to conduct a well-targeted evacuation plan" which resulted in "1.1 million people moving to about 900 cyclone shelters."

Cyclone Fani which made landfall in Odisha is a category 4 storm.&nbsp;

16 more teams of NDRF were deployed in Odisha and 3 more teams in West Bengal on Saturday. Schools were shut, airports closed, and transport suspended, and although damage to infrastructure is expected to be severe.

The UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), which works towards the substantial reduction of disaster risk and losses to ensure a sustainable future, has lauded India Metrological Department (IMD) for providing "pinpoint" information that helped authorities to minimize loss of life.

The UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), which works towards the substantial reduction of disaster risk and losses to ensure a sustainable future, has lauded India Metrological Department (IMD) for providing "pinpoint" information that helped authorities to minimize loss of life. Denis McClean, spokesperson for the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) said, "They seem to have done a good job in terms of minimising the possibility of a loss of life...A huge effort has been made to reduce the possibility of a loss of life in this instance" India has been focusing on zero causality policy when it comes to cyclone preparedness and in the past has been able to prove its performances. When Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm Phaili hit India in 2013, India was able to keep the casualty figures as low as 45, despite its intensity. McClean who spoke to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) head said, "the almost pinpoint accuracy of the early warnings from the Indian Meteorological Department had allowed the authorities to conduct a well-targeted evacuation plan" which resulted in "1.1 million people moving to about 900 cyclone shelters." Cyclone Fani which made landfall in Odisha is a category 4 storm. 16 more teams of NDRF were deployed in Odisha and 3 more teams in West Bengal on Saturday. Schools were shut, airports closed, and transport suspended, and although damage to infrastructure is expected to be severe.

Cyclone Fani: United Nations lauds India Meteorological Department

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/un-agency-praises-india-on-minimising-loss-of-life-from-cyclone-fani-215838">Cyclone Fani</a>, one of the biggest to hit India in years, barrelled into Bangladesh on Saturday after leaving a trail of deadly destruction in India.

Thanks to mass evacuations well ahead of time though, a major human disaster of the kind seen in previous cyclones <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/un-agency-praises-india-on-minimising-loss-of-life-from-cyclone-fani-215838">looked to have been averted</a>.

Bangladeshi police said nine people perished even before the eye of the storm crossed the border on Saturday morning. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-fani-bites-odisha-eight-dead-naveen-patnaik-holds-review-meeting-215768">Eight others died in India</a>, press reports said, although officials could not confirm this.&nbsp;

More than 1.6 million people have been taken to shelters, Bangladeshi officials told AFP, with at least 36 villages flooded after a storm surge breached embankments in coastal areas.

The dead included a minor in Barguna district on the coast and five others killed by lightning in the northern district of Kishoreganj.

"At least 63 people were also injured," Shaheen Sultana, a disaster ministry official, told AFP, with more than 2,000 houses destroyed.

"We are mooring our boat because it's the only means of income for us. Only Allah knows when we can go back to fishing again," Akbar Ali, a fisherman near the town of Dacope in Bangladesh, told AFP while battling surging waves to tie his boat to a tree.

With the storm weakening into a deep depression but still packing a punch, winds of up to 70 kilometres (45 miles) per hour and heavy rain battered overnight and on Saturday morning the Indian state of West Bengal and its capital Kolkata, including the Sundarbans mangrove forest area.

"It's a total mess in islands of the Sunderbans as the cyclone has destroyed everything in its path, fuelling fears rivers could burst their banks and leave vast areas underwater," said Manturam Pakhira, Sunderbans affairs minister.

"Several homes have been flattened, roofs blown off, electric poles and trees toppled."

Several hundred thousand people were told to evacuate coastal areas of West Bengal before the arrival of Fani ("snake" in Bengali), with 5,000 leaving the low-lying areas and old, dilapidated buildings of Kolkata, home to 4.6 million people.

"Nearly a dozen people were trapped as an old building in the northern part of the city has collapsed," mayor Firhad Hakim said. "They have been rescued and shifted to a safer place."

India averted major human disaster

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that on Monday he would visit Odisha where Fani made landfall on Friday, packing winds gusting up to 200 kilometres (125 miles) an hour, sending coconut trees flying, knocking down power lines and cutting off water and telecommunications.&nbsp;

Eight people were killed in Odisha, the Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency reported, including a teenage boy crushed under a tree and a woman hit by concrete debris.

Unable to confirm the death toll, Odisha disaster management official Prabhat Mahapatra told AFP there were about 160 people injured in Puri alone.

"It just went dark and then suddenly we could barely see five metres in front of us," said one Puri resident. "The wind is deafening."

PTI reported that a construction crane collapsed and that a police booth was dragged 60 metres by the wind. Electricity pylons were down, tin roofs were ripped off and windows on many buildings were smashed.

'Fani'&nbsp;weakens in West Bengal&nbsp;

Meanwhile, 'Fani' has now weakened into a deep depression and lay centred over Bangladesh and expected to weaken further into a depression.

"The CS 'FANI' over Gangetic <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-fani-makes-landfall-in-west-bengal-215767">West Bengal</a> moved further east-northeastwards and weakened into a Deep Depression, lay centred at 08.30 hrs IST over Bangladesh near lat 23.6degN and long 88.8degE. It is very likely to move northeastwards, weaken further into a depression during next 06 hrs," tweeted India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Rain lashed Kolkata as cyclone Fani hit West Bengal by crossing Kharagpur earlier on Saturday. Trees were uprooted in towns in coastal West Bengal including Digha, Mandarmani, Tajpur, Sandehskhali and Contai as the storm surge forward.

After crossing Kharagpur, it moved further in North-East direction with approximately a wind speed of 90 km/hour. NDRF personnel were clearing the uprooted trees from the road at Digha and other places.

"Cyclone Fani has weakened and is covering areas of West Bengal in the form of the cyclone. It is further moving towards Bangladesh. The situation is under control and there is not much damaging effect. 9 teams of NDRF are present in West Bengal," said Randeep Kumar Rana, DIG Operations, NDRF.

&nbsp;

Cyclone Fani, one of the biggest to hit India in years, barrelled into Bangladesh on Saturday after leaving a trail of deadly destruction in India. Thanks to mass evacuations well ahead of time though, a major human disaster of the kind seen in previous cyclones looked to have been averted.

Cyclone Fani, one of the biggest to hit India in years, barrelled into Bangladesh on Saturday after leaving a trail of deadly destruction in India. Thanks to mass evacuations well ahead of time though, a major human disaster of the kind seen in previous cyclones looked to have been averted. Bangladeshi police said nine people perished even before the eye of the storm crossed the border on Saturday morning. Eight others died in India, press reports said, although officials could not confirm this. More than 1.6 million people have been taken to shelters, Bangladeshi officials told AFP, with at least 36 villages flooded after a storm surge breached embankments in coastal areas. The dead included a minor in Barguna district on the coast and five others killed by lightning in the northern district of Kishoreganj. "At least 63 people were also injured," Shaheen Sultana, a disaster ministry official, told AFP, with more than 2,000 houses destroyed. "We are mooring our boat because it's the only means of income for us. Only Allah knows when we can go back to fishing again," Akbar Ali, a fisherman near the town of Dacope in Bangladesh, told AFP while battling surging waves to tie his boat to a tree. With the storm weakening into a deep depression but still packing a punch, winds of up to 70 kilometres (45 miles) per hour and heavy rain battered overnight and on Saturday morning the Indian state of West Bengal and its capital Kolkata, including the Sundarbans mangrove forest area. "It's a total mess in islands of the Sunderbans as the cyclone has destroyed everything in its path, fuelling fears rivers could burst their banks and leave vast areas underwater," said Manturam Pakhira, Sunderbans affairs minister. "Several homes have been flattened, roofs blown off, electric poles and trees toppled." Several hundred thousand people were told to evacuate coastal areas of West Bengal before the arrival of Fani ("snake" in Bengali), with 5,000 leaving the low-lying areas and old, dilapidated buildings of Kolkata, home to 4.6 million people. "Nearly a dozen people were trapped as an old building in the northern part of the city has collapsed," mayor Firhad Hakim said. "They have been rescued and shifted to a safer place." India averted major human disaster Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that on Monday he would visit Odisha where Fani made landfall on Friday, packing winds gusting up to 200 kilometres (125 miles) an hour, sending coconut trees flying, knocking down power lines and cutting off water and telecommunications. Eight people were killed in Odisha, the Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency reported, including a teenage boy crushed under a tree and a woman hit by concrete debris. Unable to confirm the death toll, Odisha disaster management official Prabhat Mahapatra told AFP there were about 160 people injured in Puri alone. "It just went dark and then suddenly we could barely see five metres in front of us," said one Puri resident. "The wind is deafening." PTI reported that a construction crane collapsed and that a police booth was dragged 60 metres by the wind. Electricity pylons were down, tin roofs were ripped off and windows on many buildings were smashed. 'Fani' weakens in West Bengal Meanwhile, 'Fani' has now weakened into a deep depression and lay centred over Bangladesh and expected to weaken further into a depression. "The CS 'FANI' over Gangetic West Bengal moved further east-northeastwards and weakened into a Deep Depression, lay centred at 08.30 hrs IST over Bangladesh near lat 23.6degN and long 88.8degE. It is very likely to move northeastwards, weaken further into a depression during next 06 hrs," tweeted India Meteorological Department (IMD). Rain lashed Kolkata as cyclone Fani hit West Bengal by crossing Kharagpur earlier on Saturday. Trees were uprooted in towns in coastal West Bengal including Digha, Mandarmani, Tajpur, Sandehskhali and Contai as the storm surge forward. After crossing Kharagpur, it moved further in North-East direction with approximately a wind speed of 90 km/hour. NDRF personnel were clearing the uprooted trees from the road at Digha and other places. "Cyclone Fani has weakened and is covering areas of West Bengal in the form of the cyclone. It is further moving towards Bangladesh. The situation is under control and there is not much damaging effect. 9 teams of NDRF are present in West Bengal," said Randeep Kumar Rana, DIG Operations, NDRF.

Cyclone Fani barrels into Bangladesh, at least 9 dead

Cyclone Fani leaves 12 dead in Odisha, relief work underway. Watch the full video to know more.

13 dead as Cyclone Fani hits Odisha

The severe cyclonic storm Fani entered West Bengal through Odisha's Balasore which led to heavy rainfall in the state. \Watch full video to know more.

Cyclone Fani hits West Bengal triggering strong winds and heavy rainfall

Air India on Saturday announces the recommencement of operation from 9.45 am at Kolkata Airport.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ordered the cancellation of all flights to and from Bhubaneswar and Kolkata airports due to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-fani-makes-landfall-in-west-bengal-215767">cyclone Fani</a> on Thursday.

The National carrier also stepped forward to help residents of Odisha affected by the cyclone Fani and has decided to ship free of cost relief material to cyclone-affected areas by any NGO/ Civil society/ Self Help Group etc.

After wreaking havoc at the Puri, Bhubaneswar and other parts in Odisha on Friday, cyclonic storm Fani made landfall in West Bengal early on Saturday. Rain lashed Kolkata and other coastal towns in West Bengal.

According to IMD the cyclone will weaken and move into Bangladesh by noon. "Severe Cyclone FANI weakened into a Cyclonic Storm and lay centred at 60 km NW of Kolkata at 0530 IST of 4th May. To weaken into Deep Depression and move into Bangladesh by noon," tweeted IMD.&nbsp;

Air India on Saturday announces the recommencement of operation from 9.45 am at Kolkata Airport. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ordered the cancellation of all flights to and from Bhubaneswar and Kolkata airports due to cyclone Fani on Thursday.

Air India on Saturday announces the recommencement of operation from 9.45 am at Kolkata Airport. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ordered the cancellation of all flights to and from Bhubaneswar and Kolkata airports due to cyclone Fani on Thursday. The National carrier also stepped forward to help residents of Odisha affected by the cyclone Fani and has decided to ship free of cost relief material to cyclone-affected areas by any NGO/ Civil society/ Self Help Group etc. After wreaking havoc at the Puri, Bhubaneswar and other parts in Odisha on Friday, cyclonic storm Fani made landfall in West Bengal early on Saturday. Rain lashed Kolkata and other coastal towns in West Bengal. According to IMD the cyclone will weaken and move into Bangladesh by noon. "Severe Cyclone FANI weakened into a Cyclonic Storm and lay centred at 60 km NW of Kolkata at 0530 IST of 4th May. To weaken into Deep Depression and move into Bangladesh by noon," tweeted IMD.

Cyclone Fani: Air India resumes operation at Kolkata Airport

Cyclonic storm Fani, which <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-fani-three-killed-heavy-rainfall-predicted-in-odisha-ap-bengal-northeast-215661">wreaked havoc in Odisha</a>, has made landfall in West Bengal, India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Saturday.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/fani-heading-towards-west-bengal-rain-lashes-city-215652">cyclonic story crossed Kharagpur</a> and is likely to continue further in North-East direction with a wind speed of 90 km/hour.

Heavy rains along with a wind speed of 175 kmph battered Odisha as cyclone Fani made landfall close to the temple town of Puri on Friday morning, leaving a trail of destruction in the state.

The impact of the "extremely severe cyclonic storm" was felt in neighbouring West Bengal including in the beach town of Digha and other areas.

The cyclone, which crossed Odisha coast close to Puri coast between 8 am and 10 am&nbsp;with a maximum wind speed of around 175 Kmph, caused "huge damage" in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri, and Khordha districts in the state.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/cyclone-fani-and-why-it-is-so-powerful-215425">In pics:&nbsp;Cyclone Fani and why it is so powerful</a>

Late on Friday, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik chaired a review meeting with the chief secretary as well as senior officers of the state.

Patnaik, while briefing media after the meeting, said over 12 lakh people had been evacuated in 24 hours to safer locations in the state. He also mentioned that officials would take stock of the situation at length once the cyclonic storm crosses Odisha.

According to the IMD, Fani has moved north-northeastwards at 20 kmph in the last six hours and weakened into a "severe cyclonic storm".

"It lay centred at 08:30 pm over coastal Odisha about 110 kilometre southwest of Midnapore in West Bengal, 80 kilometre southwest of Digha and 210 kilometre southwest of Kolkata," said a statement issued by the IMD.

"It is very likely to continue to move north-northeastwards during next 12 hours and emerge into Gangetic West Bengal with a wind speed of 80-90 kmph gusting to 105 kmph by the early morning of May 4," it added.

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Cyclonic storm Fani, which wreaked havoc in Odisha, has made landfall in West Bengal, India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Saturday. The cyclonic story crossed Kharagpur and is likely to continue further in North-East direction with a wind speed of 90 km/hour.

Cyclonic storm Fani, which wreaked havoc in Odisha, has made landfall in West Bengal, India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Saturday. The cyclonic story crossed Kharagpur and is likely to continue further in North-East direction with a wind speed of 90 km/hour. Heavy rains along with a wind speed of 175 kmph battered Odisha as cyclone Fani made landfall close to the temple town of Puri on Friday morning, leaving a trail of destruction in the state. The impact of the "extremely severe cyclonic storm" was felt in neighbouring West Bengal including in the beach town of Digha and other areas. The cyclone, which crossed Odisha coast close to Puri coast between 8 am and 10 am with a maximum wind speed of around 175 Kmph, caused "huge damage" in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri, and Khordha districts in the state. In pics: Cyclone Fani and why it is so powerful Late on Friday, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik chaired a review meeting with the chief secretary as well as senior officers of the state. Patnaik, while briefing media after the meeting, said over 12 lakh people had been evacuated in 24 hours to safer locations in the state. He also mentioned that officials would take stock of the situation at length once the cyclonic storm crosses Odisha. According to the IMD, Fani has moved north-northeastwards at 20 kmph in the last six hours and weakened into a "severe cyclonic storm". "It lay centred at 08:30 pm over coastal Odisha about 110 kilometre southwest of Midnapore in West Bengal, 80 kilometre southwest of Digha and 210 kilometre southwest of Kolkata," said a statement issued by the IMD. "It is very likely to continue to move north-northeastwards during next 12 hours and emerge into Gangetic West Bengal with a wind speed of 80-90 kmph gusting to 105 kmph by the early morning of May 4," it added. ×

After wreaking havoc in Odisha, cyclone Fani makes landfall in West Bengal

The UN agency for disaster reduction has commended the Indian Meteorological Department's "almost pinpoint accuracy" of early warnings that helped authorities conduct a well-targeted evacuation plan and minimise the loss of life as extremely severe cyclonic storm Fani made landfall near the coastal city of Puri.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-fani-makes-landfall-in-west-bengal-215767">The powerful cyclone</a>, strongest to hit India in 20 years, made landfall at around 8 AM in India's eastern state of Odisha, killing at least eight people.

Large areas in the seaside pilgrim town of Puri and other places were submerged as heavy rains battered the entire coastal belt of the state affecting about 11 lakh people. 
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has classified Fani as an "extremely severe cyclonic storm".

UN agencies are monitoring Fani's movements closely and taking measures to protect families living in refugee camps in Bangladesh, which is on alert.

The Cyclone lashed the coast with maximum wind speeds of up to 175 kilometres per hour, heavy rainfall and coastal flooding, with 28 million people living along the route of the massive storm.

"India's zero casualty approach to managing extreme weather events is a major contribution to the implementation of the #SendaiFramework and the reduction of loss of life from such events," Mami Mizutori, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General (SRSG) for Disaster Risk Reduction, and head of the Geneva-based UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), said.

Mizutori was referring to the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, the first major agreement of the post-2015 development agenda.

It is a 15-year, voluntary, non-binding agreement which recognises that the state has the primary role to reduce disaster risk but that responsibility should be shared with other stakeholders including the local government, the private sector and other stakeholders.

Highlighting the zero-casualty cyclone preparedness policy of the Indian government, a spokesperson for UNISDR, Denis McClean said, "the almost pinpoint accuracy of the early warnings from the Indian Meteorological Department had enabled the authorities to conduct a well-targeted evacuation plan, which had involved moving more than one million people into storm shelters".

UNISDR also tweeted about the advisory distributed by India's National Disaster Management Authority and local authorities days before Fani made landfall in an effort to minimise loss of life and injury.

Local authorities are accommodating evacuees in over 4,000 shelters, including 880 specially designed to withstand cyclones.

"Schools were shut, airports closed and transport suspended, and although damage to infrastructure was expected to be severe, there were no reports of any deaths," McClean said.

According to preliminary reports, eight people have been killed due to the cyclone, which has the potential to cause widespread loss of life.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' spokesperson St?phane Dujarric told reporters that the UN humanitarian agencies in India have met ahead of the storm's arrival to take stock of preparedness measures.

With Fani threatening devastation in India and Mozambique still reeling from Cyclone Idai, one of the worst tropical cyclones, UNICEF raised alarm about impact of climate change on children.

The UN children's agency said the cyclone currently hammering India and the back-to-back cyclones that tore through Mozambique in March and April have caused serious damage to the lives of thousands of children. They should be an urgent wake-up call to world leaders on the serious risks that extreme weather events pose to the lives of children.

In Odisha, 28 million people, including 10 million children, are in the path of Cyclone Fani, UNICEF said.

"Children will bear the brunt of these disasters," said Gautam Narasimhan, UNICEF Senior Adviser on Climate Change.

He said climate change is linked to rising sea levels and the increase in rainfall associated with cyclones, causing more devastation in coastal but also inland areas.

"In the short term, the most vulnerable children are at the risk of drowning and landslides, deadly diseases including cholera and malaria, malnutrition from reduced agricultural production, and psychological trauma ? all of which are compounded when health centres and schools are impacted," he said.

Narasimhan warned that in the long term, cycles of poverty can linger for years and limit the capacity of families and communities to adapt to climate change and to reduce the risk of disasters.

According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the forecast on Friday was that Cyclone Fani "would move north-northeast towards Bangladesh where there were concerns about the effects of potential coastal flooding".

World Meteorological Organization spokesperson Clare Nullis said the impact the cyclone is expected to be less severe in areas such as Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar which is home to the world's largest refugee camp, populated mainly by Rohingyas who have fled Myanmar.

Meanwhile, Americares, a health-focused relief and development organization, said its India arm Americares India is preparing to deliver medicine and relief supplies to assist survivors, including tarps, water cans and water purification tablets for up to 3,000 families.

Americares India Managing Director Shripad Desai said, "We anticipate thousands of families will need shelter and medical care in the coming days".&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The UN agency for disaster reduction has commended the Indian Meteorological Department's "almost pinpoint accuracy" of early warnings that helped authorities conduct a well-targeted evacuation plan and minimise the loss of life as extremely severe cyclonic storm Fani made landfall near the coastal city of Puri.

The UN agency for disaster reduction has commended the Indian Meteorological Department's "almost pinpoint accuracy" of early warnings that helped authorities conduct a well-targeted evacuation plan and minimise the loss of life as extremely severe cyclonic storm Fani made landfall near the coastal city of Puri. The powerful cyclone, strongest to hit India in 20 years, made landfall at around 8 AM in India's eastern state of Odisha, killing at least eight people. Large areas in the seaside pilgrim town of Puri and other places were submerged as heavy rains battered the entire coastal belt of the state affecting about 11 lakh people. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has classified Fani as an "extremely severe cyclonic storm". UN agencies are monitoring Fani's movements closely and taking measures to protect families living in refugee camps in Bangladesh, which is on alert. The Cyclone lashed the coast with maximum wind speeds of up to 175 kilometres per hour, heavy rainfall and coastal flooding, with 28 million people living along the route of the massive storm. "India's zero casualty approach to managing extreme weather events is a major contribution to the implementation of the #SendaiFramework and the reduction of loss of life from such events," Mami Mizutori, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General (SRSG) for Disaster Risk Reduction, and head of the Geneva-based UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), said. Mizutori was referring to the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, the first major agreement of the post-2015 development agenda. It is a 15-year, voluntary, non-binding agreement which recognises that the state has the primary role to reduce disaster risk but that responsibility should be shared with other stakeholders including the local government, the private sector and other stakeholders. Highlighting the zero-casualty cyclone preparedness policy of the Indian government, a spokesperson for UNISDR, Denis McClean said, "the almost pinpoint accuracy of the early warnings from the Indian Meteorological Department had enabled the authorities to conduct a well-targeted evacuation plan, which had involved moving more than one million people into storm shelters". UNISDR also tweeted about the advisory distributed by India's National Disaster Management Authority and local authorities days before Fani made landfall in an effort to minimise loss of life and injury. Local authorities are accommodating evacuees in over 4,000 shelters, including 880 specially designed to withstand cyclones. "Schools were shut, airports closed and transport suspended, and although damage to infrastructure was expected to be severe, there were no reports of any deaths," McClean said. According to preliminary reports, eight people have been killed due to the cyclone, which has the potential to cause widespread loss of life. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' spokesperson St?phane Dujarric told reporters that the UN humanitarian agencies in India have met ahead of the storm's arrival to take stock of preparedness measures. With Fani threatening devastation in India and Mozambique still reeling from Cyclone Idai, one of the worst tropical cyclones, UNICEF raised alarm about impact of climate change on children. The UN children's agency said the cyclone currently hammering India and the back-to-back cyclones that tore through Mozambique in March and April have caused serious damage to the lives of thousands of children. They should be an urgent wake-up call to world leaders on the serious risks that extreme weather events pose to the lives of children. In Odisha, 28 million people, including 10 million children, are in the path of Cyclone Fani, UNICEF said. "Children will bear the brunt of these disasters," said Gautam Narasimhan, UNICEF Senior Adviser on Climate Change. He said climate change is linked to rising sea levels and the increase in rainfall associated with cyclones, causing more devastation in coastal but also inland areas. "In the short term, the most vulnerable children are at the risk of drowning and landslides, deadly diseases including cholera and malaria, malnutrition from reduced agricultural production, and psychological trauma ? all of which are compounded when health centres and schools are impacted," he said. Narasimhan warned that in the long term, cycles of poverty can linger for years and limit the capacity of families and communities to adapt to climate change and to reduce the risk of disasters. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the forecast on Friday was that Cyclone Fani "would move north-northeast towards Bangladesh where there were concerns about the effects of potential coastal flooding". World Meteorological Organization spokesperson Clare Nullis said the impact the cyclone is expected to be less severe in areas such as Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar which is home to the world's largest refugee camp, populated mainly by Rohingyas who have fled Myanmar. Meanwhile, Americares, a health-focused relief and development organization, said its India arm Americares India is preparing to deliver medicine and relief supplies to assist survivors, including tarps, water cans and water purification tablets for up to 3,000 families. Americares India Managing Director Shripad Desai said, "We anticipate thousands of families will need shelter and medical care in the coming days".

UN agency praises India on minimising loss of life from Cyclone Fani

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