Cyclone Fani LIVE | 16 dead, massive restoration effort in Odisha

Cyclone Fani, which is currently rated as a severe cyclonic storm made landfall at 9 40 AM in Odisha on Friday morning. Over 10 lakh people have been evacuated from what is being considered the worst cyclone the region has faced since 1999. Stay tuned for all the Live Updates!

Helpline numbers for Fani Cyclone

Important helplines:

Odisha's Emergency Helpline Number: [phone].

• Railways Helpline Numbers: Bhubaneswar- (0674-2303060, 2301525, 2301625), Khurda Road (0674-2490010, 2492511, 2492611), Sambalpur (0663- 2532230, 2533037, 2532302), Visakhapatnam – (0891- 2746255, 1072), Puri- 06752-225922, Bhadrak- 06784-230827, Cuttack- 0671-2201865, Berhampur- 0680-2229632

• MHA Helpline Number: 1938

• Kolkata Police: 033-214143024 / 2214-330 / 2214-1310, special helpline number is 9432610444 which can be used to WhatsApp also.

NASA's AIRS Images Cyclone Fani Before Landfall

This image shows Tropical Cyclone Fani just off the east coast of India in the Bay of Bengal. NASA's Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) collected the image at about 1 p.m. PDT (4 p.m. EDT) today, May 2. At the time, the cyclone's wind speeds were equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph (249 kph) and gusts of up to 190 mph (306 kph), according to theJoint Typhoon Warning Center. AIRS, in conjunction with the Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit (AMSU), senses emitted infrared and microwave radiation from Earth to provide a 3D look at weather and climate. The infrared image shows temperatures of the clouds or surface. The large purple area indicates very cold clouds carried high into the atmosphere by deep thunderstorms. Warmer areas, including the eye of the cyclone, are shown in blue. Shallower rain clouds appear green, while the orange areas represent mostly cloud-free air moving away from the storm.

Over 10 lakh evacuated as Cyclone Fani makes landfall

India has evacuated more than ten lakh people living along its east coast ahead of an extremely severe cyclone that is due to make landfall on Friday afternoon, government officials said.

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Cyclone Fani makes landfall in Odisha's Puri with wind speed of 145 kmph

The landfall process of extremely severe CycloneFanibegan nearly at 8 am Friday close to Puri in Odisha, with the area recording a wind speed of 145 kilometres per hour, the IMD said. Source: PTI

Extremely severe cyclonic storm 'Fani' hits Odisha coast in Puri with 175 kmph speed: IMD officials.

The area along Puri is witnessing winds with a speed of 145 kilometres per hour that could reach up to 180-200 kmph, which could bring an "extensive damage", IMD said.

Extremely severe cyclone Fani landfall started at 8 AM. Some of the portion of the eye has already entered land area. It'll take 2 more hrs to complete landfall process. Landfall position is close to Puri. It'll continue up to 10.30 AM:HR Biswas, Director, Met Dept, Bhubaneswar

Watch | Cyclone Fani hits Puri in Odisha.

The Indian Coast Guard has positioned 34 Disaster Relief Teams at Vizag, Chennai, Paradip, Gopalpur, Haldia, Frazergunj and Kolkata besides four Coast Guard ships at Vizag and Chennai - ANI

Cyclone in May in Odisha surprises many -- Here's why

The arrival of tropical cyclone Fani in the month of May has turned out to be a major surprise for many people in Odisha. Though the eastern state is known for experiencing cyclones in regular intervals, it seldom gets hit by the calamities in the month of May. Cyclones usually batter the state in the month of October. In fact, the month of October has always been considered in Odisha as “cyclone month”

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What does cyclone landfall mean?

A cyclone making a landfall implies that the first arm of the cyclone has reached the land.

Indian rescue workers stand next their equipment ahead of cyclone Fani landfall in the Indian coastline, in Puri in the eastern Indian state of Odisha on May 2, 2019.

(Photo by Dibyangshu SARKAR / AFP)

Stranded passengers rest inside a railway station after trains between Kolkata and Odisha were cancelled ahead of Cyclone Fani, in Kolkata

Reuters photo

Nearly 11 lakh people have been evacuated from vulnerable and low-lying areas of at least 11 coastal districts. Evacuees have been accommodated in over 4,000 shelters, including 880 specially designed cyclone centres.

No casualty has so far been reported from any part of the state.

After the landfall, the system is passing through Khurda, Cuttack, Jajpur, Bhadrak and Balasore before entering West Bengal. Bhubaneswar is likely to be hit by high velocity winds of around 140 kmph.

The cyclonic system's eye is around 28 km and the process of landfall is expected to be complete around 11 AM.

Large areas in the seaside pilgrim town of Puri and other places are submerged as heavy rains battered the entire coastal belt of the state.Several trees have been uprooted and thatched structures destroyed at some places including Bhubaneswar.

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IMD: Extremely severe Cyclone Fani is likely to move North-Northeastwards and weaken into a very severe cyclonic storm during next 6 hours

Trees bend with gusty winds ahead of the landfall of cyclone Fani, in Bhubaneswar, Friday, May 3, 2019.

(PTI Photo)

Rain and strong winds hit Bhubaneswar as Fani cyclone hits Puri coast with wind speed of above 175km/per hour.

Amit Shah on Twitter: "Today, due to inclement weather and difficulty in air travel in Jharkhand, I have to cancel all the three public meetings in Jharkhand. I wish all the best in this inclement weather."

Cyclone Fani has moved away from Andhra Pradesh, so, we have issued a de-warning. 3 districts in the state were impacted by heavy rainfall says Mrityunjay Mohapatra, IMD, Delhi

Kolkata Airport shut from 3 pm today to 8 am tomorrow

Airports Authority of India: No flight to & from Kolkata Airport from 3 pm today to 8 am tomorrow (IST). Closure timing revised from earlier announced 9.30 pm today to 6 pm tomorrow (IST).

StormSurge 1.3 m The maximum Storm surge height is 1.3m in Panasapada, India. This height is estimated for 03 May 2019 03:00 UTC .

Modi says more than Rs 1,000 cr released in advance for cyclone-affected states, govt with people in times of crisis.

Two people died on Friday said the Special Relief Commissioner

“I can confirm two deaths for now. One old man in one of the shelters died because of (a) heart attack. Another person went out in the storm despite our warnings and died because a tree fell on him,” Odisha Special Relief Commissioner Bishnupada Sethi toldAFP.

A 32-year-old woman gave birth to a baby girl in Railway Hospital today at 11:03 AM. Baby has been named after the cyclonic storm, Fani.

Three killed as Cyclone Fani batters Odisha

Three people were killed in separate incidents as cyclone Fani battered the Odisha coast on Friday, 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.
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Indian Coast Guard Inspector General KR Suresh says: So far, we have not received any reports about loss of life in the sea due to Cyclone Fani

Cyclone Fani: EC lifts model code in four AP districts

Responding to the written request of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu the EC has lifted code of conduct in four districts Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, East Godavari and Visakhapatnam.

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Fani: Over Rs 1,000 cr released in advance, says Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said over Rs 1,000 crore had been released in advance for the states affected by Cyclone Fani.

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'Baby Fani' born in Odisha railway hospital

A baby was born in an Odisha railway hospital as the extremely severe storm wreaked its havoc on Friday and her name came to officials in a flash -- she could only be Lady Fani for them.

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Cyclone Fani: Visuals from Biju Patnaik International Airport

As of now, three persons have lost their lives in the cyclone. The precautions that have been taken should be continued: SN Pradhan, DG NDRF.

IMD bulletin on Cyclone Fani

West Bengal: Visuals of heavy rainfall and strong winds from Digha

Mala, Helen, Nargis: How are cyclones named?

As Cyclone Fani pounded the Odisha coast on Friday, the name, which was suggested by Bangladesh, also evoked curiosity.

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Fani in Bengal: trains, flights cancelled

After battering Odisha, the severe cyclonic storm Fani has weakened and moved towards West Bengal, and is expected to hit the West Bengal coastearly Saturday morning.

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PM takes stock of situation

Relief, aid rushed to cyclone-hit Odisha, AP

With cyclone Fani causing devastation in Odisha and parts of Andhra Pradesh, the Centre is rushing teams to the two states to restore basic services such as drinking water, electricity and telecom operations.

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UN praises IMD on minimal deaths from Cyclone Fani

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.

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Cyclone Fani not a threat to West Bengal: Met official

Cyclone Fani, which ravaged most parts of Odisha and left 12 people dead, poses no threat to West Bengal anymore, as it weakens further before entering neighbouring Bangladesh, a senior official said on Saturday.

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As WB gears up for Cyclone Fani, Modi talks to governor

As West Bengal braces for Cyclone Fani's landfall, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the governor of the state, Keshari Nath Tripathi, on Saturday about the ground situation.
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Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik: According to our latest reports, deaths are in single digit

NEET postponed in Odisha

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) scheduled to be held across the country on May 5 has been postponed in Odisha, hit by cyclone Fani.
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Fani: Navy launches rehabilitation effort in Odisha

In the aftermath of the devastation caused by severe cyclone 'Fani', the Eastern Naval Command of the Indian Navy has launched a massive rescue and rehabilitation effort in Odisha.

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