Cyclone Fani Live Updates: At 205 Kmph, Cyclone Fani "Extremely Severe", Will Hit Odisha Friday Afternoon

Tourists in West Bengal's coastal areas have been asked not to go near the sea between May 2 and 4, with fishermen warned not to venture into the seas from May 2 in view of the developing severe cyclonic storm 'Fani' which is expected to trigger heavy showers in the coastal districts where wind speeds may go up to 110-115 km per hour, officials and weather experts said on Monday.

"Fishermen have been asked not to venture into the seas from May 2. The tourists who are visiting the coastal areas of West Bengal, have been asked to stay away from the sea from May 2-4," the officials said.

All fishermen who have already gone to the deep seas, have been asked to return to the shore by Wednesday, and refrain from venturing into the waters till further notification.

The East Midnapore district administration has been asked to take all preventive measures and maintain strong vigil on the Digha, Mandarmani and other beaches so as to stop visitors from bathing on the three days on the turbulent sea. Water sports activities will also remain cancelled.

Fishermen associations have been advised not to sail any boat during the period.

The Odisha government on Tuesday requested the Centre to provide two helicopters and additional National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams for evacuation of affected people as cyclone Fani is likely to hit the coast of the state on May 3.

"We have requested the Cabinet Secretary to position two helicopters for air-dropping relief material. Besides, we have asked for additional NDRF teams to carry out the rescue operation," said chief secretary A.P. Padhi.

Mr Padhi said the impact of the cyclone will be maximum on Odisha.

Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that the cyclone will first hit Puri district after which it will move northwards towards Khurda, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Kendrapada, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Balasore and Mayurbhanj, he added.

Padhi said the evacuation process will begin from the morning of May 2. People from low-lying areas will be evacuated to nearby cyclone shelters, schools and other safe places.

As many as 879 cyclone shelters are ready. Besides, 20 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) units and 335 fire services units are on stand-by.

A total of 28 NDRF teams, including extra 10 teams, are rushing from outside Odisha to assist during the cyclone. They will be in propositioning locations cross coastal districts, said an official.

Fani has intensified into an "extremely severe" cyclonic storm, says Navy; Odisha has been put on high alert. 

In addition, the NDRF is keeping on standby 13 teams in West Bengal and 10 in Andhra Pradesh, the official said.

The IMD also released a list of warnings for Cyclone Fani:
(i) Heavy rainfall warning
North Andhra Pradesh: Light to moderate rainfall at many places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places very likely over north coastal Andhra Pradesh (Srikakulam and Vijayanagaram Districts) on 2 nd May and rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy
rainfall at a few places on 3rd May.

Odisha: Light to moderate rainfall at many places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places very likely over south coastal Odisha on 2nd May. It is likely to increase with rainfall at most places and heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places with extremely heavy falls (>20 cm) at isolated places over coastal Odisha & its adjoining districts of interior Odisha on 3rd and over north Odisha on 4th May.

West Bengal: Light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy falls at isolated places very likely over coastal districts of West Bengal on 3rd and heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places with extremely heavy falls at isolated places over Gangetic West Bengal on 4th May.

(ii) Wind warning
Gale wind speed reaching 155-165 kmph gusting to 180 kmph is prevailing over Southwest and adjoining westcentral & Southeast Bay of Bengal. It is very likely to increase gradually becoming 175-185 kmph gusting to 205 kmph over Westcentral & adjoining Southwest Bay of Bengal off north Tamilnadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh Coast from 1 st May morning onwards.

Strong wind speed reaching 30-40 kmph gusting to 50 kmph very likely along & off Tamilnadu & Puducherry coast, Comorin area, Gulf of Mannar and Kerala on 30th.

Squally wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph is very likely to commence along & off north Andhra Pradesh & Odisha Coasts from 2nd May and very likely to become gale wind speed reaching 60-70 kmph gusting to 85 kmph from 3rd May morning and
become 175-185 kmph gusting 205 kmph over Odisha Coast and 90-100 kmph gusting to 115 kmph over adjoining districts of north Andhra Pradesh by 3rd May evening.

Squally wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph is very likely along & off West Bengal coast on 2nd May. It would become gale wind speed reaching 60-70 kmph gusting to 85 kmph from 3
rd May evening and become 90-100 kmph gusting to 115 kmph from 4th May morning.

(iii) Sea condition
The sea condition is phenomenal over Southwest Bay and adjoining Southeast & westcentral Bay of Bengal, off north Tamilnadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh Coasts. It is very likely to be phenomenal over westcentral Bay of Bengal during 1-3 May
2019 and over Northwest Bay of Bengal during 2-4 May.

Sea conditions very likely to be very rough to high along & off north Andhra Pradesh Coasts during 1-3 May and high to phenomenal along & off Odisha and West Bengal Coasts during 2-4 May.

(iv) Storm surge Warning
Storm surge of about 1.5 meter height above astronomical tide is very likely to inundate low lying areas of Ganjam, Khurda, Puri & Jagatsinghpur Districts of Odisha at the time of landfall.

(v) Fishermen Warning
The fishermen are advised not to venture into deep sea areas of Southwest & adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal on 30th April; Southwest & adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal, along & off Puducherry, north Tamilnadu & south Andhra Pradesh coasts till 1st May; westcentral Bay of Bengal, along & off north Andhra Pradesh Coast during 1-3 May 2019 Spatial rainfall distribution: Isolated: <25%, A few: 26-50%, Many: 51-75%, Most: 76-100% Rainfall amount (mm): Heavy rain: 64.5 - 115.5, Very heavy rain: 115.6 - 204.4, Extremely heavy rain: 204.5 or more and northwest & adjoining Westcentral Bay of Bengal along & off Odisha and West Bengal coasts from 2-4 May.

Those, who are out in deep sea above areas are advised to return to the coasts.

(vi) (a) Damage Expected and Action suggested for Ganjam, Gajapati, Khurda, Puri, Jagatsinghpur districts of Odisha.

(i) Extensive damage to all types of kutcha houses, some damage to old badly managed Pucca structures. Potential threat from flying objects.
(ii) Extensive uprooting of communication and power poles.
(iii) Disruption of rail/road link at several places.
(iv) Extensive damage to standing crops, plantations, orchards.
(v) Blowing down of Palm and coconut trees.
(vi) Uprooting of large bushy trees.
(vii) Large boats and ships may get torn from their moorings.

 Action Suggested:
(i)Total suspension of fishing operations.
(ii) Extensive evacuation from coastal areas.
(iii) Diversion or suspension of rail and road traffic.
(iv) People in affected areas to remain indoors.
(v) Movement in motor boats and small ships not advisable.

(b) Damage Expected and action suggested for Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Balasore districts of Odisha and east & west Medinipur, south & north 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hoogli, Kolkata districts of West Bengal and Srikakulam and Vijayanagaram districts of Andhra Pradesh

(i) Total destruction of thatched houses/ extensive damage to kutcha houses. Some damage to pucca houses. Potential threat from flying objects.
(ii) Bending/ uprooting of power and communication poles.
(iii) Major damage to Kutcha and and Pucca roads. Flooding of escape routes. Minor disruption of railways, overhead powerlines and signalling systems.
(iv) Widespread damage to standing crops, plantations, orchards, falling of green coconuts and tearing of palm fronds. Blowing down of bushy trees like
mango.
(v) Small boats, country crafts may get detached from moorings. (vi) Visibility severely affected.

 Action Suggested:
(i) Total suspension of fishing operations. Mobilise evacuation from coastal areas.
(ii) Judicious regulation of rail and road traffic.
(iii) People in affected areas to remain
indoors.

India Meteorological Department releases latest update on Cyclone Fani
The Very Severe Cyclonic Storm "Fani" over Southwest and adjoining Southeast Bay of Bengal moved northwestwards with a speed of about 21 kmph in last six hours and lay centred at 1430 hrs IST of 30th April, 2019 over Southwest and adjoining westcentral and Southeast Bay of Bengal near latitude 13.0°N and longitude 85.3°E, about 760 km south-southwest of Puri (Odisha) and 560 km south-southeast of Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and about 660 km
north-northeast of Trincomalee (Sri Lanka). It is very likely to intensify further into an Extremely
Severe Cyclonic Storm during next 06 hours. It is very likely to move northwestwards till 01st
May evening and thereafter recurve north-northeastwards and cross Odisha Coast between
Gopalpur and Chandbali, to the south of Puri around 3 rd May afternoon with maximum sustained wind of speed 175-185 kmph gusting to 205 kmph.

NCMC meets again to take stock of the preparatory measures arising out of the Cyclone Fani
The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) met today for the second time in as many days and reviewed the preparedness with the States and concerned Departments of Government of India, to deal with the situation arising out of the Cyclonic Storm 'Fani', a press release by the Press Information Bureau said.

Based on the decision of the first meeting of NCMC, Centre has already releasedadvance financial assistance of Rs. 1,086 crore to Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal to assist them in undertaking preventive and relief measures, it said.

Reviewing the preparedness of the States and Central Agencies, Cabinet Secretary directed that all necessary measures be taken to prevent any loss of life and to keep in readiness essential supplies including food, drinking water and medicines etc. He also advised all concerned to make adequate preparations to ensure maintenance of essential services such as power, telecommunications in the event of damages caused to them. During the meeting, officers of all  concerned State Governments confirmed their preparedness to deal with any emerging situation arising out of the cyclonic storm.

Indian Coast Guard and the Navy have deployed ships and helicopters for relief and rescue operations. Army and Air Force units in the three states have also been put on standby

NDRF is deploying total  41 teams - in Andhra Pradesh (8), Odisha (28) and West Bengal (5) - for prepositioning. In addition NDRF is keeping on standby 13 teams in West Bengal and 10 in Andhra Pradesh, the release said.

States have issued advisories and are ensuring that fishermen do not venture into the sea.  IMD has been issuing three hourly bulletins with latest forecast to all the concerned States. MHA is also in continuous touch with the State Governments and the Central Agencies concerned.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Tuesday said he would urge the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) to postpone polling in Patkura assembly segment.

"I am going to see the Chief Election Commissioner about postponing the election in the Patkura assembly seat in case the cyclone hits Odisha," Patnaik told reporters.

The ECI had earlier fixed May 19 as the date for the polling in Patkura assembly segment under Kendrapara Lok Sabha seat following death of BJD candidate Bed Prakash Agarwal on April 20.

With the severe cyclonic storm 'Fani' in the Bay of Bengal likely to have an impact on north coastal Andhra Pradesh, the state administration was gearing up to prevent loss of life and minimise property damages.

The forecast that the cyclone may not hit the Andhra coast provided some relief to the administration as nearly 1,000 km long coastline is expected to escape the devastation, but north coastal Andhra comprising Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts bordering Odisha were still taking preventive steps.

Special officers in parts of Srikakulam district on Tuesday held a meeting with officials of various departments to review the situation. Authorities in coastal villages and low-lying areas were asked to remain on alert and undertake evacuation, wherever necessary.

Chief Secretary L.V. Subrahmanyam said the state was prepared to deal with any eventuality.

Based on the decision of National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), Ministry of Home Affairs has ordered for advance release of financial assistance of Rs. 1086 crore to 4 States (i.e. Rs. 200.25 crore for Andhra Pradesh, Rs. 340.875 crore for Odisha, Rs. 309.375 crore for Tamil Nadu, Rs. 235.50 crore for West Bengal), to their State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to assist them in undertaking preventive and relief measures in response to cyclonic storm 'Fani'.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Parnaik said that he has reviewed preparedness as cyclone Fani turned course to pass through coast of Odisha. He has also discussed with senior officials preparedness on the field and the administration is fully geared up to handle the situation.

Reviewed @SRC_Odisha's preparedness as cyclone #Fani has turned course to pass through coast of #Odisha. Also discussed with senior officials on the preparedness of the field officials. Administration is fully geared up to handle the situation.

- Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) April 30, 2019

The National Disaster Management Authority said Cyclone Fani will turn into an Extremely severe cyclonic storm. NDMA tweeted:

#CycloneFani to turn into an Extremely severe cyclonic storm. It lies abt 700 kms east south east of chennai and 760 kms southeast of Machilipatnam. Likely to move northwestwards till 1 May and then recurve northeastwards towards Odisha Coast. - IMD pic.twitter.com/nkzTnzuqMP

- NDMA India (@ndmaindia) April 30, 2019

Cyclone Fani Update: Cyclone warning for Odisha coast. Fani intensified into severe cyclone and is currently lying 700 km east south east of chennai. It is most likely to curve northwest-wards tomorrow and thereafter may recurve towards Odisha coast: IMD

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) posted some does and don'ts before, during and after Cyclone Fani on twitter:

#CycloneFanipic.twitter.com/QuMwlIVKrq

- NDMA India (@ndmaindia) April 30, 2019

The Naval aircraft are also standing by at the Naval Air Stations INS Rajali at Arakkonam, Tamilnadu and INS Dega at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh to undertake reconnaissance, rescue, casualty evacuation and air drop of relief material to the stranded if required.

Naval aircraft are also standing by at the Naval Air Stations INS Rajali at Arakkonam, Tamilnadu and INS Dega at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh to undertake reconnaissance, rescue, casualty evacuation and air drop of relief material to the stranded if required 4/4 pic.twitter.com/OsdawHII50

- SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) April 30, 2019

The ships are embarked with additional divers, doctors, inflatable rubber boats and relief material that include food, tentage, clothes, medicines, blankets etc, in quantities sufficient.

These ships are embarked with additional divers, doctors, inflatable rubber boats & relief material that include food, tentage, clothes, medicines, blankets etc, in quantities sufficient 3/n pic.twitter.com/6pv6ad3On8

- SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) April 30, 2019

The Indian Naval ships at Visakhapatnam and Chennai are ready and standing-by to proceed to the most affected areas to undertake Humanitarian Aid Distress Relief (HADR), evacuation, logistic support including providing medical aid: Indian Navy

Indian Naval ships at Visakhapatnam & Chennai are ready & standing-by to proceed to the most affected areas to undertake Humanitarian Aid Distress Relief (HADR), evacuation, logistic support including providing medical aid. 2/n pic.twitter.com/N4laeFJ9zb

- SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) April 30, 2019

Eastern Naval Command (ENC) has assumed high degree of readiness to render necessary humanitarian assistance. ENC is monitoring the developments in the Bay of Bengal closely and is in constant touch with state administrations: Indian Navy

#CycloneFani As the cyclone storm FANI intensifies into a Severe Cyclonic Storm over SE & adjoining SW Bay of Bengal & lie about 770 km ESE of Chennai at 1730 h/ 29 Apr, the Eastern Naval CD (ENC) has assumed high degree of readiness 2 render necessary humanitarian assistance 1/n pic.twitter.com/zDpZLEUpuU

- SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) April 30, 2019