Intense Cyclone Fani to Hit Odisha on Friday, Yellow Alert Declared, Holiday in Schools; Tamil Nadu & Andhra Pradesh on High Alert

Cyclone Fani, which is approaching the Odisha coast, has intensified into an extremely severe cyclonic storm. The state has been put on a "yellow alert" by the weather department as the intense cyclone will be hitting the Odisha coast on Friday i.e. 3^rd May 2019 with a wind speed of around 200 kmph.  

It is to be noted that the Odisha government has declared holiday at schools and colleges in the state on Tuesday due to the oncoming cyclonic storm. Also, the Election Commission has lifted the model code of conduct in the coastal districts of the state to ensure that the state is prepared to face Fani.  

In 11 districts of Odisha, the EC has lifted Model Code of Conduct in anticipation of the landfall of Cyclone Fani. 

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow warning for the Odisha coast, and predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall due to Cyclone Fani at places like Boudh, Kalahandi, Sambalpur, Deogarh and other areas along the coastline. 

Odisha's 879 multipurpose cyclone shelters are kept ready. The shelters can accommodate about one million people during cyclones and floods. The Navy, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Coast Guard are also on high alert.  

According to the Navy, Cyclone Fani, is approaching and has turned into an "extremely severe cyclonic" storm, the Navy said late last night. Special Relief Commissioner of Odisha Bishnupada Sethi claimed that there are chances of high to very high rainfall in many parts of Odisha especially in southern Odisha.  

He added, “High alert has been issued in vulnerable districts and officials have been asked to take precautionary measures in the wake of Cyclone Fani making landfall near Puri in Odisha.”