Cyclone Fani : 74 trains cancelled in Odisha; exams at two universities postponed

Odisha / Cyclone Fani : 74 trains cancelled in Odisha; exams at two universities postponed

Odisha - Cyclone Fani : 74 trains cancelled in Odisha; exams at two universities postponed

The Extremely Severe Cyclone Fani over Westcentral and adjoining Southwest Bay of Bengal, has moved northwestwards with a speed of about 10 kmph in last six hours about 680 km south-southwest of Puri (Odisha) and 430 km south-southeast of Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh). It is very likely to move northwestwards during by the evening and thereafter recurve north-northeastwards and cross Odisha Coast between Gopalpur and Chandbali, to the south of Puri around 3 May afternoon.

Tourists in Odisha have been advised to leave Puri by the evening of 2 May and have been asked not to take up non- essential travel on 3, 4 May in the districts that are likely to be affected. All educational establishments have been asked to declare holidays from 2 May till further orders and examinations are likely to be rescheduled.

Here are the top updates on Cyclone Fani:

Moderate thunderstorm/lightning with light rainfall and gusty wind speed reaching 30-40 kmph is likely to occur at one or two places over the districts of Malkangiri, Koraput, Nawarangpur, Kalahandi, Nuapada and Balangir on May 1 between 4 pm-8 pm.The examinations under the Utkal University, Bhubaneswar scheduled to be held from May 2-4 has been postponed due to Cyclone Fani.

The re-examination scheduled will be notified after the cyclone is over, according to an order by the university.Odisha: The Bhubaneswar-Cuttack twin city Police Commissioner Satyajit Mohanty took a meeting with all the IIC's. Mohanty instructed all the IIC's to look after the PCR vans and VHF machines. They have also been asked for round the clock assistance for an integrated control room, above all look after vigil eye on loot during the cyclone.

A team of 24 personnel of 7th battalion ODRAF is on their way towards Bhadrak.The train services between Odisha's Bhadrak and Andhra Pradesh's Vizianagaram are likely to be stopped from Thursday evening (May 2). The rail passengers are advised by the east coast railway to plan their journey accordingly.Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba: We are prepared for the cyclone. Eastern Naval Command at Visakhapatnam is ready, all necessary measures have been taken.

In coordination with the state government of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, we are ready for the cyclone.Special health control room will be established at every district headquarter and block to tackle the impact of the cyclone: Odisha Health Minister Pratap Jena.

All leaves of doctors and health staff in Odisha have been cancelled up to 15 May. Those who are on leave have been asked to report back to respective Headquarters by Wednesday evening.Extensive damage to all types of kutcha houses, some damage to old badly managed Pucca structures is expected due to the cyclone.

Extensive uprooting of communication and power poles, disruption of rail/road link at several places, extensive damage to standing crops, plantations, orchards, blowing down of Palm and coconut trees and large bushy trees are also likely. Large boats and ships may get torn from their moorings.

The administration has advised total suspension of fishing operations, extensive evacuation from coastal areas, diversion or suspension of rail and road traffic to limit the destruction.The fishermen have been advised not to venture into along and off West Bengal and Odisha coast from 2 May onwards. They are also advised to return to coast by 1 May afternoon.