Highlights: Cyclone Fani In Odisha

Mentioned below are the highlights of the extremely severe cyclonic storm Fani before and after its landfall near the Puri coast in Odisha on Friday morning.

1. The cyclonic storm made the landfall near the Puri coast between 8 am and 8.30 am with a gale wind speed of 175 kmph with gusting to 200 kmph.

2. The gale wind speed in Bhubaneswar as informed by the Meteorological Centre, Bhubneswar, is more than 120 kmph till reports last came in. The wind speed will increase further and is expected to decrease late in the afternoon.

3. Highest rainfall of 160 mm was recorded in Gopalpur followed by Puri (100 mm) and Bhubaneswar 50 mm till 11 am.

4. Hundreds of trees uprooted in Puri, Bhubaneswar, Jagatsinghpur and Khurda.

5. Electric poles at some places were found twisted and power lines snapped at most places.

6. In view of the devasting cyclonic storm, the Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar was shut from midnight of Thursday with the cancellation of all flights for Friday.

7. Several thatched houses in villages, on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar, have been completely damaged. Similar has been the fate of makeshift houses in the slums in the Odishq capital.

8. Train services under the jurisdiction of the East Coast Railway have been suspended.

9. 525 Fire Services teams deployed in all coastal districts while 39 teams are stationed in Puri.

10. 25 NDRF teams have been deployed in all coastal districts while three teams are kept on standby.

11. 18 ODRAF teams are on duty in all coastal districts while two teams are kept on standby.

12. The Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard are kept in readiness. Three ships of the Indian Navy with relief materials are currently patrolling along the coast to provide immediate relief and rescue operations following information.

13. Seven helicopters of the Indian Air force and six aircrafts, including two Dornier aircrafts, are stationed in Visakhapatnam. Official sources said arrangements are being made bring relief materials from Chennai in four ships of the Indian Navy.

14. As informed by the officials of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA),  two helicopters have been earmarked for Bhubaneswar. But as the Biju Patnaik International Airport authorities have refused to keep them in the hanger, they we’re flown to Ranchi.

15. For relief and rescue operations, two Army units have been kept in Bhubaneswar and Ranchi.

16. 302 Rapid Response Teams of the Health department with each team having a doctor, pharmacist and attendant have been pressed into service in the vulnerable areas to provide immediate healthcare service.

17. The Energy department has kept 500 gangs of linemen with equipment to restore power supply.

18. More than 10 lakh people from the low-lying areas have been shifted to the cyclone shelters.