Cyclone Fani: UN Praises IMD For “Almost Pin Point Accuracy”; Death Toll Under 20

Bhubaneswar: The United Nations agency for disaster management has praised India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) “almost pin-point accuracy” in predicting the path of the category 4 cyclone Fani that led to a successful evacuation of 12 lakh people from Odisha’s coastal areas.

The state government has also received praises for managing the disaster efficiently and keeping the death toll to 12. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik notified that more than 12 lakh people were evacuated from vulnerable areas in 24 hours and 9000 shelters were made functional overnight. 45000 volunteers were involved in the operation.

The district of Puri is the worst hit and this is where wind speeds crossed 200 kmph when the cyclone made its landing here on Friday morning. Around 10,000 electric poles have been damaged in Bhubaneswar. Restoration operations are in full swing and 25 per cent of areas in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack as well as Ganjam, Mayurbhanj, Khurda, Mayurbhanj may get power by Saturday evening, sources say.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit the state on May 6.