8 people dead; aerial survey shows massive devastation around Puri

Mangalore Today News Network

Odisha, May 03, 2019 : The rescue and relief agencies in Odisha are on high alert in view of Cyclone Fani. The landfall process of the extremely severe cyclone began nearly at 8 am on Friday close to Puri in Odisha, winds blowing at a maximum speed of 240-245 km per hour and heavy to very heavy rains are continuing over the coastal areas, the IMD said, Zeenews reported.

 

After landfall, the impact is likely to reduce and it is likely to move towards West Bengal coast, the IMD confirmed.

Over 11.5 lakh people in vulnerable, low-lying areas of 13 districts are being shifted to cyclone shelters.

The railways have already suspended operations of trains in Odisha and all trains in Bhadrak-Vizianagaram section (of the Kolkata-Chennai route) has been cancelled till Saturday. A total of 140 trains including 83 passenger trains have been cancelled so far.

Cyclone Fani passes through West Bengal’s Digha

The death toll due to the cyclone has increased to eight-3 in Puri district, 3 in Bhubaneswar and surroundings, 1 each in Nayagarh and Kendrapara. While three people, including a teenage boy, were reported killed in Puri district, three perished in Bhubaneswar and nearby areas. Flying debris from a concrete structure fatally struck a woman in Nayagarh. An elderly woman died of a heart attack at a relief shelter in Kendrapara district, official sources said.

The Naval Dornier aircraft, deployed to carry out aerial survey of Odisha to assess the impact of the Cyclone Fani near Puri, observed extensive devastation to vegetation in many places around Puri.