Bhubaneswar: Sangram Mohapatra, a spokesperson for Odisha’s Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Thursday said that the extremely severe cyclonic storm ‘FANI’ is expected to touch landmass earlier than expected. He said that the storm will hit Puri coast between 10:00am and noon quoting reports of India Meteorological Department (IMD). However, later in the day, SRC Bishnupada Sethi informed that the landfall may take place around 8.00am in the morning and continue till noon May 3.
It is important to mention here that the latest report issued by IMD at 12:30pm and shared with media doesn’t mention a specific time for landfall or any change in schedule.
“It is very likely to move north-northeastwards and cross Odisha coast between Gopalpur and Chandbali, around Puri by the afternoon of May 3 with maximum sustained wind speed of 170-180 kmph gusting to 200 kmph,” the report mentions(SIC).
Landfall apart, the SRC spokesperson announced that the government has asked all commercial establishments to remain closed in view of cyclone Fani. The relief commissioner has also asked the Food supplies secretary to take measures to check hoarding of kitchen essential items.