Cyclone Fani: Disaster management system on "Yellow Alert"

As Cyclone Fani is all set to make landfall in Odisha, the central disaster management machinery and defence ministry are keeping a tab on the situation. NDRF teams aided with resources from the Indian Navy and Coastal guards have been deployed for assistance. IMD has issued a 'yellow alert' for Odisha, West Bengal and three districts of Andhra Pradesh.

New Delhi:With severe cyclonic storm Fani set to make landfall in Odisha and parts of West Bengal on May 3, the Ministry of Defence has issued an advisory for the proactive deployment of resources by Indian Navy and Coast Guard for assistance at the time of need.

"It is monitoring the developing situation in East Coast of India for Cyclone Fani and authorises the proactive deployment of resources from Indian Navy and Coast Guard for succour and assistance to those in need with minimum reaction time. Coast Guard has deployed 20 teams," the Ministry said in a statement.

In Bhubaneswar, preparations are underway by Odisha Fire Services in view of the "extremely severe" cyclonic storm prediction by Met Department. Around 50 teams of six members each have been kept on alert in the city.

Due to Cyclone Fani, 22 more trains were cancelled by East Coast Railway on Wednesday, taking the total to at least 99 trains.

India Meteorological Department has issued a "Yellow Alert" for Odisha, West Bengal and three districts of Andhra Pradesh in view of cyclonic storm Fani.

In a special bulletin issued yesterday, the weather department forewarned about possible destructions and asked the state and central governments to take all precautionary steps for mitigating the impact of the storm.

Fishermen have been asked not to venture out for fishing from May 1 to May 5.

Shopkeepers on the beach side have also been warned to not open their shops during the warning period.

One of the shopkeepers, Gautam Singh said, "Administration is coming here at regular intervals and announcing not to open shops during warning period as an extremely severe storm is about to hit the land anytime."

Tourists have also been alerted and asked to move to safer locations. Evacuations operations are on in several coastal districts.

"We came here to stay for five days but due to the high alert, our entire group is now going back. Also, we have been barred from getting into the sea," said a tourist, Soham Dey.

Speaking to media, Surojit Bag, Asst director of fisheries said, "We have issued severe cyclone alarm from May 1 till May 5. Letters have been already issued to BDO and coastal police asking for strict vigilance. Disaster management teams have also been informed.

Read: Cyclone Fani: Red alert sounded in Srikakulam district