Cyclone Fani likely to hit Odisha coast between Gopalpur-Chandbali

Bhubaneswar: Severe cyclonic storm ‘Fani’ is likely to hit Odisha coast between Gopalpur and Chandbali on May 3 with a wind speed of 175-185 kmph gusting up to 205 kmph, the India Meteorological Department said on Tuesday.

It is very likely to move northwestwards till May 1st evening and thereafter recurve north-northeastwards and cross Odisha Coast between Gopalpur and Chandbali, to the south of Puri on May 3 afternoon with maximum sustained wind of speed 175-185 kmph gusting to 205 kmph, the IMD said.

Under its impact, squally wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph is very likely to commence along & off Odisha coast from May 2 and very likely to become gale wind speed reaching 60-70 kmph gusting to 85 kmph from May 3 morning, and become 175-185 kmph gusting 205 kmph over Odisha coast by May 3 evening, the bulletin added.

Light to moderate rainfall is likely to occur at many places with heavy to very heavy rainfall very likely to occur over the districts of Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha, Rayagada and Kandhamal districts on May 2.

Anticipating possible landfall in Bhadrak and Balasore region, NDRF team prepositioned at Balasore and further strengthened with manpower and equipment especially tree cutters.