The landfall process of extremely severe Cyclone Fani began nearly at 8 am today close to Puri in Odisha, with the area recording a wind speed of 145 kilometres per hour, the India Meteorological Department said.The area along Puri is witnessing winds with a speed of 145 kilometres per hour that could reach up to 180-200 kmph, which could bring an “extensive damage’.

After the landfall, the system is very likely to continue to move north-northeastwards, weaken gradually and emerge into Gangetic West Bengal as a Severe Cyclonic Storm with wind speed of 90-100 Kmph gusting to 115 Kmph by early morning of 4th May.

More than 1 million people have been evacuated from the vulnerable districts in last 24 hrs. Ganjam & Puri evacuated  more than 3 lakh & 1.3 lakh people respectively to safe shelters. About 5000 kitchens started operating to serve people in the shelters. As Cyclone Fani headed towards the eastern coast, the Indian Coast Guard has positioned 34 disaster relief teams at different spots and deployed four ships to handle any exigency.

Army and Air Force units in the three States have also been put on standby. Surveillance aircraft and helicopters are carrying out serial surveillance along the Eastern coast. NDRF has pre-positioned 54 teams which are equipped with boats, tree-cutters and telecom equipments in five States and has kept 31 teams on standby. Schools have been ordered closed and people asked to move to safer places. Meanwhile, Airports Authority of India has issued an alert to all coastal airports to take precautionary measures  in the view of cyclonic storm FANI. Kolkata airport will be shut from 9.30 pm on May 3 till 6 pm of May 4 in view of Cyclone Fani.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also keeping close tab on the situation. Prime Minister held a top level assessment meeting with the cabinet secretary, PM’s Principle Secretary, Home Secretary and Met dept, NDRF & NDMA officials on Thursday. PM Modi was given updates on the cyclone’s progress and administration’s preparedness to tackle the challenge.The Prime Minister directed the officials to remain on top of the situation and keep in constant touch with state-level counterparts to best coordinate all measures.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik helmed a top level meet in Bhubaneswar by was also helmed where stress was laid on taking all measures to deal with the cyclone’s impact..Leaves of state health dept officials have been cancelled till the 15th of this month.

The Home Ministry’s Control Room helpline number for Cyclone Fani 1938 is operational to provide latest information. Odisha’s emergency helpline number for Cyclone Fani is 06742534177.