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Via The Statesman in Kolkata, where it's already May 3: Cyclone Fani to hit Puri between 8 and 10 am today. Excerpt:
Incessant rain drenched parts of coastal Odisha as the extremely severe cyclonic storm Fani remained on course to hit the state near Puri between 8 and 10 am on Friday.
It was a race against time for the state government and the disaster mitigation agencies NDRF, ODRF, Fire services as Fani gathered speed in the Bay causing a constant revision of timeline in evacuation and other operations.
Initially, the forecast was landfall will take place near Puri at around 5.30 pm. This was revised to between 10 and 12 noon and the latest was advanced by another two hours – 8 and 10 am.
Odisha government, which has set global standards in disaster response and mitigation, targeted to evacuate 11.50 lakh[1,150,000] people from low lying areas along 11 coastal districts by Thursday evening. But, with Fani gathering speed of 12 km per hour in the sea, the administration was racing against time and at the time of reporting, 6 lakh[600,000] people have been moved to safer places and cyclone shelters.
Wind speed reach 200 km per hour is the forecast. In state capital Bhubaneswar, the speed would be 115 km per hour.
Besides, the gale and gusty cyclonic wind, the sea surge with high tidal waves expected to be five to seven mts in Puri and Jagatsinghpur districts is likely to inundate low lying areas.
Whipped by cyclonic winds, the sea waters could sweep up to six km inland affecting habitation in two coastal districts of Puri and Jagatsinghpur.
Reservoir levels are low and there is no fear of floods, but rainwater and sea water evacuation will be required, said official sources.
Relief and rescue operations are in full operational mode.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik reviewed the preparedness levels and appealed to people to maintain calm, remain indoors and safe. Each life is precious, he said, while insisting that the government is fully prepared to face the cyclone.
