Bhubaneswar: With the impact of landfall of Cyclone Fani has already begun and expected to continue for another 2-3 hours, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is closely monitoring the movement and impact of Fani with a zero casualty mission.
“The impact of landfall process has started. Fani will make a landfall between 8-11 am, HR Biswas, Director, Met Dept, Bhubaneswar, said.
The Cyclone Warning Division of the India Meteorological Department said the wind speed of the Extremely Severe Cyclone Fani could reach 200-230 kilometres when it makes the landfall
The Odisha government has already evacuated around 11 lakhs of people from the coastal areas to camps on higher grounds in last 24 hrs.
Ganjam and Puri evacuated more than 3 lakh and 1.3 lakh people respectively to safe shelters. About 5000 kitchens started operating to serve people in the shelters.
While reviewing the preparedness on Wednesday, Naveen Patnaik had stressed on ensuring zero casualty in the aftermath of cyclone Fani and had directed officials of various departments to remain on high alert to tackle the Severe Cyclone.
He instructed the authorities to speed up the process of evacuation and shift people living in low-lying areas to safe places early to avoid any loss of life.
Speaking to reporters, the CM had said “I appeal to everyone that children, women, old and disabled persons be evacuated first. All precautions have been taken to face the cyclone. We are fully prepared to tackle the cyclone Fani”.