The “severe cyclonic storm” Fani that would most likely hit the Odisha coastline by the early morning of May 3 may not just affect the polls in the State but also the Indian Air Force’s plans to test the air-launched version of the BrahMos. For, the storm between Gopalpur, Chandbali, south of Puri and Kendrapara will wind speeds of 175-185 kmph and even gusting up to 205 kmph.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is yet to specify the exact location of landfall but Kerala, Odisha, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh coastal areas have been put on high alert. Cyclone “Fani” intensified into a very severe storm on Tuesday and thereafter, into an extremely severe storm by May 1. The impact of the cyclonic storm would be felt in the State by May 2.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has ordered for advance release of financial assistance of Rs 1,086 crore to Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal for their State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to assist them in undertaking preventive and relief measures in response to cyclonic storm.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik met Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora and other officials of the poll body urging to postpone the Patkura assembly by polls if cyclone ‘Fani ‘hits the State. On the other hand, the EC also asked the authorities of Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh to ensure safety of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the States if Fani hits these States.
“It (cyclonic storm over south-east Bay of Bengal) is very likely to move north-westwards till May 1 (Wednesday) and thereafter re-curve north-northeastwards towards Odisha coast,” said the Ministry of Earth Sciences in a statement on ‘Fani’. The precipitation is likely to increase intensity with ‘heavy to very heavy rainfall’ at isolated places over coastal Odisha and adjoining districts of north coastal Andhra Pradesh from Thursday. Light to moderate rainfall is expected at many places. Downpour at isolated places is also very likely to start over coastal districts of West Bengal from Friday, the IMD said.
In view of the cyclone, the Indian Air Force (IAF) and BrahMos Aerospace have put on hold the testfire of the air-launched version of supersonic cruise missile from a Sukhoi-30 combat aircraft. The air-launched version of the BrahMos was to be testfired by the Air Force over southern India this week for giving a homegrown weapon system to the force for carrying out Balakot-type air strikes.
Indian Coast Guard and Navy have deployed ships and helicopters for relief and rescue operations. Army and Air Force units in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal have been put on standby. The National Disaster Response Force is deploying 41 teams for prepositioning. States have issued advisories to ensure that fishermen do not venture into the sea. The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) on Tuesday met with states and concerned departments of Government of India and reviewed the preparedness to deal with the situation arising out of the Cyclonic storm Fani. NCMC will meet again on Wednesday to take stock of the emerging situation.
Odisha, Special Relief Commissioner, Bishnupada Sethi on preparedness for cyclone said IMD has predicted cyclone is likely to hit Odisha coast in Puri district on May 3. “All district collectors have been alerted. All cyclone centres are being kept ready. “For search & rescue operation, we have alerted 20 units of Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force and 12 units of National Disaster Relief Forces are ready. There is still some uncertainty about the exact place in Odisha where it would come on to the land. According to its current trajectory, it could be somewhere near Puri. But we can know this better only by tomorrow,” he said.
According to Madhavan Rajeevan, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, as many as 14 severe tropical cyclones formed in April between 1891 and 2017 over the Bay of Bengal and only one crossed the India mainland. Fani is the second tropical cyclone forming in April crossing Indian main land. Cyclone Nargis was the first forming in April in 2008 devastated in Myanmar.