Cyclone Fani has started weakening, says IMD; Kolkata airport to be shut, Mamata cancels rallies : Updates

Cyclone Fani, the strongest storm to hit India since 2014, is weakening after barreling into Odisha, the chief of the state-run India Meteorological Department (IMD)

Relief Material being sent by a chopper in Orissa

Heavy rains, along with strong winds, will continue throughout the day in Odisha, where more a million people have been evacuated, K J Ramesh, Director General of the IMD said. “After making landfall this morning, cyclone Fani has started weakening and it’s likely to enter Bangladesh by tomorrow evening,” he said. “No cyclone ever had such a long duration in April.”

Cyclone Fani to hit Bengal early, coastal districts on high alert

Landfall in Odisha occurred much ahead of time which is why the cyclone could reach West Bengal early, before midnight, at a speed of 80-100 kmph.

By Saturday evening, the cyclone will move towards Bangladesh. Districts of East and West Midnapore, Jhargram, Purulia, Birbhum, Bankura and North and South 24 Parganas are on alert as they could be majorly affected.

Mamata Bannerji cancels the rallies

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee cancelled her public rallies scheduled for Friday and advised people not to pay heed to rumours and stay indoors as Cyclone Fani heads towards the state. The chief minister said, “We are fully alert” and keeping a close watch on the situation.

Food distributed at a Cyclone Shelter

The cyclone has already crossed Uri

In Kolkata, a special media briefing will be held by the Met Office at 1:30 pm. The weather department said Cyclone Fani is 380 km away from Kolkata and 350 km away from West Bengal.

Bengal Coastline on high Alert

Landfall in Odisha occurred much ahead of time which is why the cyclone could reach West Bengal early, before midnight, at a speed of 80-100 kmph.

By Saturday evening, the cyclone will move towards Bangladesh. Districts of East and West Midnapore, Jhargram, Purulia, Birbhum, Bankura and North and South 24 Parganas are on alert as they could be majorly affected.

Casualties

At least six people were killed, trees were uprooted and villages submerged in Uri.

Cyclone Fani has moved away from Andhra

“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,” Mrityunjay Mohapatra, IMD, Delhi, said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a rally in Rajasthan

In a rally event in Karauli, Rajasthan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “I took the latest update from officers. I held a review meeting yesterday. More than Rs 1000 crore was released to concerned governments yesterday in advance. NDRF, Indian Coast Guard, Army, Navy, Air Force are working with administration. I assure the affected people that nation and the Centre are with them.