Cyclone Fani News: Odisha government has already evacuated lakhs of people from the coastal areas
Eight people have been killed as cyclone Fani made a landfall in Puri on Odisha coast around 8 am, triggering heavy rainfall coupled with high velocity winds with speed of 175 kmph in vast areas. The area along Puri witnessed strong winds. Early this morning, Cyclone Fani hit West Bengal and is to continue further in the North-East direction with the wind speed of 90 km/hour, reported news agency ANI.
On Friday, large areas in Puri and other places were submerged with water as heavy rains battered the entire coastal belt of the state. Several trees were uprooted and thatched structures destroyed at some places including Bhubaneswar. All flights from Bhubaneswar have been cancelled from midnight, Kolkata airport will be shut between 3 pm today and till 8 am on Saturday. A total of 140 trains including 83 passenger trains have been cancelled so far.
Cyclone Fani -- pronounced "Foni" -- also triggered heavy rains in parts of north coastal Andhra Pradesh, where gusty winds with speed reaching up to 140 kmph uprooted trees and electricity poles, officials said. The cyclone moved close to north coastal Andhra before it made landfall in Odisha. The Odisha government has already evacuated lakhs of people from the coastal areas to camps on higher grounds.
At least 14 districts in Odisha are in the path of the Cyclone Fani. People have been evacuated from Gajapati, Ganjam, Khurda, Puri, Naygarh, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Jajpur, Bhadrak and Balasore Mayurbhanj, Dhenkanal and Keonjhar which are expected to be badly impacted by the storm. Nearly 11 lakh people have been evacuated in last 24 hrs. Ganjam and Puri evacuated more than 3 lakh and 1.3 lakh people respectively to safe shelters. About 5000 kitchens started operating to serve people in the shelters.
The Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and disaster management agencies on stand-by. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Thursday, reviewed preparedness for Cyclone Fani with his senior-most officials.
Here are the updates on Cyclone Fani:
Latest on Cyclone Fani:
According to the Meteorological department, the extremely severe cyclonic storm relatively weakened after entering coastal Odisha and transformed into "very severe" as it approached Bengal
The severe cyclonic storm Fani entered Bengal at 12.30 a.m. through Odisha's Balasore. It crossed Kharagpur packing a wind of 70-80 kmph, gusting to 90 kmph
The storm is now lying close to Arambagh in Hooghly district, and is 40 km west of Kolkata
Cyclone Fani lashed cities and towns in coastal Bengal including Digha, Mandarmani, Tajpur, Sandehskhali and Contai while the effects of the storm could also be felt in cities like Kharagpur and Burdwan
The epicentre of the storm is expected to hit the city in the early on Saturday and rains are expected to continue till Saturday
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Cyclone Fani:
- In the last 24 hours, over 12 lakh people have been evacuated from vulnerable districts to safer locations
- 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
Cyclone Fani, one of the strongest storms to batter the Indian subcontinent in decades, uprooted trees and triggered rains as it entered West Bengal post midnight on Saturday, hours after making landfall and causing havoc in Odisha on Friday.
Cyclone Fani hits West Bengal by crossing Kharagpur; to continue further in North-East direction with the wind speed of 90 km/hour, reports news agency ANI.
BREAKING: Eight killed in Odisha as Cyclone Fani pummels the state.
Heavy rainfall with surface winds of 40 KMPH in northeast for tomorrow.
Extremely Sever Cyclonic Storm "Fani"As per 7.30pmAs per information from IMD, the Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm 'FANI' crossed Odisha coast close to Puri between 0800 and 1000 hrs with maximum wind speed of around 175 KMPH. Thereafter, the system moved to khordha district with high wind and heavy rainfall in the district including Bhubaneswar before moving northwards to Cuttack. Khordha including Bhubnaeswar, Cuttack and Puri districts were severely affected.
The ESCS has caused huge damages in these districts e.g. :
1. In Puri district it has caused extensive damages to all kutcha houses. Structures of temporary street vendors have been completely damaged. 160 nos. of people have been injured and admitted to hospital for treatment. Special Circuit House Puri, Office and Residence of SP and Collector have been badly damaged like many other buildings.
2. Considering the serious disruption of electricity supply, road communication, telephone and mobile connectivity, additional support has been rushed for immediate restoration. Additional teams for road clearance, police for Law and Order, dry food such as Chuda and Gud. and additional requirement of polythene being mobilized to the district.
3. Huge numbers of trees have been uprooted resulting in disruption of road communication. Khordha and Bhubaneswar city have been severely affected.
4. In Bhubaneswar, 3 persons have been injured and hospitalized.
5. Power supply snapped due to uprooting of electricity poles, damage to substations and KV lines.
6. Extensive damage has been occurred to transmission lines and other electrical infrastructures.
7. Telecom towers have been affected resulting in cellular and telephone network down in wide area. All telephone and cell phones are down in Puri district. Telephone and mobile connectivity has also been severely affected in Khordha including Bhubaneswar city.
9. As ascertained from the Director, AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, there is no major damage to the infrastructure of AIIMS, Bhubaneswar. Some damages have occurred to semi pucca installations like sheds, AC outer units. Electricity has been snapped and telephone lines are down. Hospital is working on generotor and functioning. There is no report of any injury to patient, attendant, doctor or staff. Restoration work for power supply, telecom network will be carried out on priority.
10. Road communication in Ganjam and Gajapati completely restored. Road clearance and restoration works in other districts including Bhubaneswar city is going on.
BREAKING: Bhubaneswar flight operations to resume at 1pm tomorrow: MoCA
Hourly update of Cyclone Fani, from IMD
250-Foot Crane Crashes Onto Building In OdishaA video of a crane installed at an under-construction sky-scrapper has gone viral on social media. The crane couldn't withstand gusting winds of upto over 200 Km/hour as it fell on the houses facing the building. It is not known yet if there were occupants in the houses.
Navy's Aerial Photos Show Massive Damage Due To Cyclone Fani In PuriTo assess the impact of the "extremely severe cyclone" Fani in Odisha, an aerial survey was conducted by the Naval Dornier Aircraft. Images show extensive damage to vegetation around temple town Puri.
Apart from a large number of trees, electric poles were also found uprooted which led to road blocks in the city limits of Puri. The roof of Puri Railway Station was also blown off.
Howling winds gusting up to nearly 93 km per hour were observed by the Dornier crew during the assessment.
Cyclone Fani: Railways to transport relief material at no cost to cyclone affected statesThe railways will transport aid and relief materials free of cost to cyclone ''Fani'' affected Odisha, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh, the national transporter said Friday, in the wake of large-scale devastation by cyclonic storm.
The cyclone rolled through Odisha on Friday, packing rain and windstorm that gusted up to 175 kmph, leaving at least three people dead, blowing away thatched houses, and swamping towns and villages.
The railways issued a set of guidelines and in a letter to all Divisional Railway Managers (DRMs) said all government organisations can book relief material free of cost to the affected states.
"Indian railways has decided to permit inter-state and intra-state free transport for aid and relief material by coaching trains and goods trains...to cyclone Fani affected states...
"However, it may be ensured that consigner /consignee is district magistrate/deputy commissioner in whose jurisdiction the dispatching/receiving station is situated," the letter said.
DRMs have been given powers to take necessary action as and when required like attaching additional coaches or vans to various trains bound to states affected by the cyclonic storm.
"However, it would be preferable not to load relief material in usual parcel vans, but in separate vans/coaches...no ancillary charges like demurrage, wharfage or others are to be charged for transportation of relief material," it said.
The railways has said these guidelines will be in effect till June 2 or till further orders.
Cyclone Fani: District authorities alerted in AssamAs cyclone ''Fani'' is expected to trigger heavy rains in the northeast after hitting West Bengal, the Assam government Friday directed all district deputy commissioners and agencies concerned to be on alert and take necessary measures to deal with the situation.
The Central Water Commission, in a bulletin, has forecast high rainfall in west and central Assam districts on May 4 and 5.
According to a release by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), state disaster response force (SDRF) personnel have been deployed in 40 locations across the state.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have reached for pre-positioning in Cachar, Barpeta, Bongaigaon, Sonitpur, Tinsukia and Jorhat districts. Dhemaji district and Patgaon in Guwahati each already have an NDRF battalion stationed there, the release said.
Toll-free numbers have been set up in the district and state control rooms which will be operational round the clock. The toll-free number for the district control room is 1077 and the those for the state control room are 1070 and 1079.
Cyclone Fani has come down heavily on Odisha barrelling through the state with wind speeds as high as 200 km per hour. In Bhubaneswar, people have come down on the roads taking shelter under shades from the heavy rain saying their "homes were shaking".
"
We were up there, but the home is shaking. So we came down here," a young man said.
The group of young men called it a terrifying experience and said they had gone to another building for shelter however they couldn't brave the very strong winds.
Cyclone Fani fallout blows tents off Everest, news agency AFP reports
High winds blamed on Cyclone Fani more than 900 kilometres (570 miles) away blew tents off the side of Mount Everest on Friday, officials said. About 20 tents at Everest's Camp 2, at 6,400 metres (21,000 feet), were affected.
"Very strong winds blew the tents off the mountain but no-one was hurt," Ishwori Poudel, general secretary of the Expedition Operators Association, told AFP.
Cyclone Fani Brings Heavy Rain in Kolkata (In Pictures)
Civil aviation secretary monitoring situation, DGCA will issue revised advisories to airlines when necessary, says Suresh Prabhu.
Cyclone Fani will alter the weather conditions in Nepal and bring heavy rainfall and snowfall in the Himalayas, meteorologists warned on Friday.
CYCLONE FANI LIVE UPDATES: Cyclone Fani, which is currently situated at about 370 km southwest of Kolkata, is likely to enter West Bengal with a wind speed of 90-100 kmph gusting to 115 kmph by midnight to Saturday early morning, an official said.
Cyclone Fani Updates: Moderate rainfall is expected at most places, heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places and extremely heavy rains at isolated places over coastal Odisha and adjoining districts of interior parts of the state on Friday.
Most places in Odisha is likely to receive light to moderate rains on Saturday with heavy to very heavy rainfall occurring at isolated places in Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts.
In Andhra Pradesh, light to moderate rainfall is likely at most places with heavy to very heavy rains at isolated places over Srikakulam district on Friday. Also light to moderate rainfall is likely in West Bengal on Friday, with heavy to very heavy showers at a few places and extremely heavy rains at isolated places.
Light to moderate rainfall is expected at most places and heavy rains at isolated places over sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim on Saturday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said over Rs 1,000 crore had been released in advance for the states affected by Cyclone Fani.
Addressing an election rally in Rajasthan, he said the government was with the people in times of crises.
A detailed review meeting was held and he had been given the latest updates on Cyclone Fani, PM Modi said as the extremely severe cyclonic storm hit Odisha on Friday morning.
"Lakhs of families are affected by a cyclone in the coastal areas of Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry and the Centre is in touch with the state governments. I got the latest update from officers sometime ago and also held a detailed review meeting yesterday. More than Rs 1,000 crore have been released in advance," PM Modi told the rally.
He added that the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Indian Coast Guard, the Navy and the Army were engaged in the relief works.
"I want to assure the people of the cyclone-affected states that the entire country and the Centre are standing by the affected families and the state governments," PM Modi said.
Fani Cyclone Update: Red Alert Sounded In Coastal West Bengal
A red alert has been issued in coastal areas and fishermen have been asked not to venture into the sea.
The state government has taken precautionary measures for districts like East and West Midnapore, both North and South 24 Parganas besides, Howrah, Hooghly, Jhargram and Kolkata and Sundarbans to avert any untoward incident.
Several trains from the city have been cancelled while the city airport has decided to remain shut from 3 PM Friday till 8 AM Saturday.
Kolkata Police has opened a control room at its headquarters to monitor the situation in the city.
All government and government-aided schools have suspended classes from Friday and the Health Department has cancelled leave of doctors and the staff till May 6.
''Fani'' is likely to reach West Bengal by Friday evening.
Squally winds and rains hit Kolkata leading to waterlogging and traffic congestion.
Coastal areas of the state also experienced heavy rains along with strong winds.
"The eye of the storm is likely to be weakened when it enters West Bengal. The wind speed will be around 100 kmph to 110 kmph," an official of the meteorological department said.
Moderate to heavy rains lashed various parts of the city, causing heavy traffic congestion in north and south Kolkata.
Cyclone Fani Odisha: Three Killed As Cyclone Fani Batters Odisha
Three people were killed in separate incidents as cyclone Fani battered the Odisha coast today, officials said. A teenager was killed when a tree came crashing down on him at a place within Sakhigopal police station area limits in Puri district. Flying debris from a concrete structure hit a woman in Nayagarh district when she had gone to fetch water, killing her. In Debendranarayanpur village in Kendrapara district, a 65-year-old woman died after suspected heart attack at a cyclone shelter, official information reaching said. Fani, an extremely severe cyclonic storm lashed the Odisha coast today morning, uprooting trees, blowing away thatched huts, and disrupting communication links.
Fani Cyclone Update: NDRF Carrying Rescue Operations
NDRF carrying out rescue operations in West Bengal which is bracing for Cyclone Fani.
Cyclone Fani News: People Are Advised To Stay Away From Damaged Buildings
The National Disaster Management Authority urged people to stay away from the damaged buildings during cyclone Fani.
Cyclone Fani Now Weakening, Says IMD
Cyclone Fani, the strongest storm to hit India since 2014, is weakening after barreling into Odisha, the chief of the state-run India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. Heavy rains, along with strong winds, will continue throughout the day in Odisha, where more a million people have been evacuated, K J Ramesh, Director General of the IMD said. "After making landfall this morning, cyclone Fani has started weakening and it's likely to enter Bangladesh by tomorrow evening," he said. "No cyclone ever had such a long duration in April."
Cyclone Fani Live: Indian Oil Arranges Uninterrupted Fuel Supply in Odisha, Bengal
The Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), the country's biggest fuel retailer, said it has made arrangements to ensure uninterrupted supply of petrol, diesel, LPG and jet fuel in Odisha and West Bengal that faced a category-4 cyclone.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) posted important precautionary measures to remain safe amid cyclone Fani.
Cyclone Fani Updates: Extensive Damage To Structure Of AIIMS Bhubaneswar Reported, Says Preeti Sudan
"Extensive damage to structure of AIIMS Bhubaneswar reported due to Cyclone Fani. All patients,staff, students are safe. Many water tanks have blown off, lighting poles are down, air conditioners damaged. We have enough supplies, ready to support the state," says Preeti Sudan, Secretary, Ministry Of Health & Family Welfare
Cyclone Fani News: More Than Rs 1000 Crores Released For the states, Says PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Yesterday we have released more than Rs 1000 crores for the states which are reeling under this cyclone this severe cyclone. NDRF, Indian Navy and army are engaged with the full promptness with the administration."
Cyclone Fani News: More Than Rs 1000 Crores Released For the states, Says PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Yesterday we have released more than Rs 1000 crores for the states which are reeling under this cyclone this severe cyclone. NDRF, Indian Navy and army are engaged with the full promptness with the administration."
Fani Cyclone Update: Airports In Odisha And Bengal Shut
Airports in Odisha and West Bengal have shutd and situation is grave for flyers as many flights has been cancelled. Severe thunderstorm with intense rainfall and gale wind speed reaching 140 to 150 kmph gusting to 165 kmph likely to occur at a few places over the districts of Ganjam, Puri, Jagatsingpur.
Fani Cyclone Live Updates: Heavy Rainfall In Puri, Khurda, Bhubaneswar, Jagatsinghpur
Puri, Khurda, Bhubaneswar and Jagatsinghpur districts in Odisha are witnessing extremely heavy rainfall in wake of Cyclone Fani, says Skymet Weather.
Image showing the impact of Cyclone Fani in Gopalpur.
Fani Cyclone Update: Amit Shah Cancelled His Election Rally In Jharkhand
Due to 'extremely severe' cyclone Fani, BJP president Amit Shah has cancelled his election rally in Jharkhand. While, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had tweeted that she will be in Kharagpur, which is near the coastal belt, to monitor the situation today and tomorrow. All her political campaigns for the next 48 hours have been cancelled.
Odisha police tweeted, "Cyclone Fani has hit Cuttack severely. Lots of trees are uprooted. DCP of Cuttack and ODRAF unit as per the guidance of DGP Odisha is putting all the possible efforts to ensure the roads are cleared as soon as possible."
Cyclone Fani News: Passengers Concerns Should Be Responded, Says Suresh Prabhu
Airlines must immediately respond to concerns of passengers affected by Cyclone Fani, says Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu.
Cyclone Fani Updates: Indian Navy's P-8I, Dornier Will Be Launched
The Indian Navy said, "Indian Navy's P-8I and Dornier are being scheduled to be launched in the afternoon for undertaking an aerial survey to assess the extent of impact and devastation post-FANI crossing the coast."
Fani Cyclone Live Updates: PM Modi Rally Postponed
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has cancelled her election rallies for 48 hours because of Cyclone Fani. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's election rally in Jharkhand's Chaibasa, which was scheduled for May 5, has been postponed to May 6, said BJP's Jharkhand unit spokesman Rajesh Kumar Shukla. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's rally in Jamshedpur today too has been put off."As a responsible citizen, we respect the law of the country. After a lot of discussions and given the curiosity and excitement about the film, we have decided to release the film immediately after the Lok Sabha election results (to be announced on May 23)," producer Sandip Ssingh said.
Cyclone Fani Updates: 1 Lakh 54 Thousand People Have Been Evacuated Till Now
Over 11 lakh 54 thousand people have been evacuated in Odisha till now. Another 10 trains were cancelled by East Coast railway today. The number of cancelled trains due to Fani has gone up to 157.
Sitaram Yechury in a tweet said, "The severe cyclone Fani in Odisha and other parts of our east coast is a cause for deep concern. All efforts must be made to provide relief to those affected. Both Central & state govts must act with urgency. Our thoughts, solidarity with our fellow-citizens who are in distress. (SIC)"
Cyclone Fani Updates
Kolkata airport to be shut from 3 pm today instead of 9:30 pm. The airport will be closed till 8am tomorrow. More than 200 flights are expected to be cancelled.
Cyclone Fani Impact: Red Alert In Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam
A red alert was sounded in Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam after heavy rain and gusty winds uprooted trees and electricity poles. About 20,000 people were shifted to 126 relief camps in Srikakulam.
People take shelter during gusty winds at Bhubaneswar railway station. (PTI)
Cyclone Fani hit Puri district with strong winds speed as high as 210 kilometers (130 miles) per hour.
Extremely heavy rainfall is occurring in Puri,Khurda, Bhubaneswar,Jagatsinghpur, Air India Radio said in a tweet. The impact of cyclone will last till this evening, it added.
Here's what the landfall at Puri actually looked like
Cyclone Fani hit the Odisha coast this morning with gusting winds and heavy rain. The impact of the Category 4 storm started around 8 am, said the Indian Meteorological Department.
The Press Information Bureau (PIB) tweeted a video to show the sheer impact of Cyclone Fani's landfall at Puri.
The short video showed trees swaying wildly in the roaring winds and rain.
According to the met department, the winds hit the coast at a speed of 150 to 175 km per hour and even higher at some places. The eye of the cyclone was of 30 km diameter.
A tree is uprooted in gusty winds ahead of the landfall of cyclone Fani, in Bhubaneswar. (PTI)
Cyclone Fani news: Railways to run special train from Visakhapatnam to Mumbai today
The Indian railways will run special train from Visakhapatnam to Mumbai today to clear the stranded passengers affected by cyclone Fani.
One person has died due to uproot of trees in PuriOdisha Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi held a high level review meeting at Bhubaneswar after landfall of Cyclone Fani in Puri.
One person has died due to uproot of trees, Air India Radio tweeted.
Cyclone News: 3 houses damaged in coastal Andhra Pradesh
Cyclone Fani triggered heavy rains in parts of neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. Parts of north coastal Andhra Pradesh witnessed gusty winds with speed reaching up to 140 kmph.
Srikakulam District Collector J. Nivas said three houses were damaged due to the winds but there was no loss of life.
Cyclone News: Large areas in Puri and other places submerged with water
Large areas in Puri and other places were submerged with water as heavy rains battered the entire coastal belt of the state. Several trees were uprooted and thatched structures destroyed at some places including Bhubaneswar.
"The cyclone has entered the Odisha coast at Puri around 8 am and it will take around three hours for the entire landfall process to be completed," Director of Regional Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar, H R Biswas said.
National Disaster Response Force or NDRF shared images of several uprooted trees along the coast in Andhra Pradesh state to the south.
The NDRF teams were trying to remove the fallen trees and branches to ensure they don't become projectiles if the winds intensify.
The impact of the
landfall is likely to continue till around 11 am and after that, the cyclone is expected to move north-westwards and gradually weaken as it reaches West Bengal by early tomorrow morning.
Gopalpur, Puri, Bhubaneswar, Paradip, Chandbali, Balasore, Kalingapatnam saw strong winds and received heavy rain overnight. Srikakulam and Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh also received heavy rain.
Cyclone Fani In Odisha
More than 3 lakh people have been evacuated from Ganjam district alone, followed by 1.3 lakh from Puri. About 5,000 kitchens are operating to serve people in shelters.
Cyclone News: Cyclone Fani landfall process started at 8 am, says IMD
The landfall process of extremely severe Cyclone Fani -- also pronounced FONI -- started at 8 am close to Puri in Odisha, with the area recording a wind speed of around 185 kilometres per hour, the IMD said. The process of landfall is expected to continue for the next two hours, it added.
Landfall process of Cyclone Fani has begun. It is likely to last for another 3 hours, news agency PTI reported.
Cyclone News: Over 11 lakh people have been evacuated in last 24 hr
More than 11 lakh people have been evacuated from the vulnerable districts in last 24 hrs, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's office said. More than 3 lakh were evacuated from Ganjam, it said. At least 1.3 lakh people have been evacuated from Puri and given shelters, it added. About 5,000 kitchens started operating to serve people in the shelters.
Cyclone News: Andhra Pradesh Power Distribution Corporation asks people to remain alert
Andhra Pradesh Eastern Power Distribution Corporation Ltd has cautioned public to be more alert regarding any untoward power accidents due to nature's fury.
Likewise 12,000 poles, 50 cranes, 40 pole drilling machines, 40 generators, 70 power saws, 2,000 transformers, wires, conductors, cross arms, insulators were already sent to the cyclone-affected places and in addition, other necessary items are being procured.
Cyclone News: Odisha Braces For Fani, Worst Since 1999 Super Cyclone That Killed 10,000
Cyclone Fani -- also pronounced as FONI -- is being regarded as the most severe cyclonic storm since the super cyclone of 1999 that claimed close to 10,000 lives and left a trail of destruction in vast swathes of the state, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre.
Cyclone News: Rayagada Chief Medical Officer suspended for not joining duty despite government order
The Odisha government has suspended Chief District Medical Officer or CDMO of Rayagada for not joining duty, news agency ANI reported. The state government has cancelled holidays of all employees in the Health Department in view of the cyclonic storm Fani.
The state government had earlier cancelled the leaves of all the doctors and employees in the Health Department till May 15. Chief District Medical Officers (CDMOs) were directed to monitor the situation in hospitals.
The government had earlier stated that strict action would be taken against senior officials who do not report for duty during the period of emergency.
Superintendent of Police Pinak Mishra appeals to villagers living in vulnerable low-lying areas to shift to cyclone shelter house, in Brahmapur. Evacuation operations were carried on a war footing on Thursday.
Fani Cyclone News: Ministry of Home Affairs' Control Room helpline number becomes operational
The helpline number set up by the Ministry of Home Affairs' Control Room has become operational. The helpline number - 1938 - will provide latest updates.
Villagers living in vulnerable low-lying areas being shifted to cyclone shelter house, in Puri, on Thursday. Almost 11 lakh people have been evacuated to temporary shelters in Odisha.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the cyclone currently lies about 65 km from Gopalpur and 80 km from Puri in Odisha.
The storm is set to affect Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal.