03 May 2019 | 02:44 AM UTC
India/Bangladesh: Tropical Cyclone Fani to hit Odisha state May 3 /update 4
Indian authorities evacuate over 1 million people in Odisha state before Tropical Cyclone Fani makes landfall on May 3; significant damage and disruptions expected along coastal areas in India and Bangladesh
Event
Tropical Cyclone Fani is expected to make landfall in Odisha state on Friday, May 3, bringing damaging winds, heavy rain, and dangerous sea conditions. As of 06:30 (IST) on Friday morning, Fani is located approximately 80 km (50 mi) south-southwest of Puri (Odisha state) and is expected to make landfall near the city between 08:00 and 10:00. The storm currently has sustained winds of 185-196 kph (115-121 mph) with gusts up to 205 kph (127 mph), the equivalent of a Category 3 Atlantic hurricane. As a precaution, Indian officials have evacuated over 1 million people in Odisha state. Authorities are expecting major damage to homes and infrastructure as well as power and telecommunication outages along coastal regions of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh states as the storm moves through the area on Friday.
Significant transportation disruptions are also ongoing in Odisha state. Road, rail, and air traffic has been suspended in coastal districts as of Friday morning. Flight operations at Biju Patnaik International Airport (BBI) were suspended for 24-hours starting on 00:01 on Friday. East Coast Railway (ECoR) officials announced a suspension of train services in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh states on Thursday, May 2, as a precaution. Transportation disruptions are expected to continue in the coming days as the storm passes through the region.
In Bangladesh, authorities issued warnings for southwestern coastal areas on Friday, including for the districts of Chattogong, Noakhall, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Borguna, Bhola, Patuakhali, Barishal, Pirozpur, Jhalokathi, Bagherhat, Khulna, and Satkhira. Officials warned that the abovementioned districts may experience a storm surge of up to 1.2-1.5 m (4-5 ft) above normal tide. Fani is expected to reach Khulna by Friday evening, bringing damaging winds and heavy rain.
Advice
Individuals in the abovementioned areas are advised to monitor local weather reports, avoid oceangoing activities, anticipate severe weather, including heavy rain, damaging winds, and possible flooding, and associated disruptions to power, telecommunications, and transportation, and adhere to instructions issued by local authorities.
