16 dead in Odisha in Cyclone Fani

16 dead in Odisha in Cyclone Fani

AgenciesUpdated: Wednesday, May 29, 2019, 08:23 PM IST
article-image
(Photo by Dibyangshu SARKAR / AFP) |

Bhubaneshwar: The death toll in the Cyclone Fani rose to 16 in Odisha on Saturday as the government mounted a massive restoration work across 10,000 villages and 52 urban areas ravaged by the storm that pounded coastal parts of the state, affecting nearly one crore people. The extremely severe cyclonic storm, that made landfall at Puri on Friday, was one of the “rarest of the rare” summer cyclones — the first to hit Odisha in 43 years and one of the three to hit in the last 150 years.

Cyclone ‘Fani’ has caused extensive damage to telecommunications and power infrastructure in Puri, Bhu-baneswar and some other areas of Odisha, while rail and air connectivity to the state is getting restored Saturday, the Centre said. It unleashed copious rain and windstorm that gusted up to 240 kmph, blowing away thatched houses and swamping towns and villages, before weakening and entering into West Bengal, officials said. It was the severest cyclone to hit the state since the Super Cyclone of 1999, which had claimed nearly 10,000 lives and devastated vast areas of the state.

The seaside pilgrim town of Puri was the worst hit. Equally devastated were capital Bhubaneswar and neighbouring Cuttack city which plunged into darkness since Friday with the collapse of the power infrastructure. Chief Minister Patnaik said the cyclone tore apart critical infrastructure especially power, telecom and water supply. The Centre has postponed the examination date for Odisha students who were to appear for NEET and AIIMS examinations. Also, a total of 79 flights were cancelled at different airports in the northeast region due to bad weather.

Fani triggered heavy rains in Andhra Pradesh and caused damage to the tune of Rs 58.61 crore in AP, mainly in Srikakulam district bordering Odisha. In a political development, Trinamool Congress hit out at PM Narendra Modi for calling West Bengal governor Keshari Nath Tripathi instead of talking to CM Mamata Banerjee to enquire about the ground situation in the wake of cyclone Fani, and alleged Modi doesn’t respect the federal structure of the country. Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force sent three C-130J Super Hercules aircraft to Bhubaneswar from Hindan Air Base for humanitarian aid and disaster relief, an IAF spokesperson said. The aircraft are carrying approximate 45 tonnes of relief material including medicines for the locations affected by Cyclone Fani.

1.2 million people were evacuated in 24 hours: CM
Bhubaneswar: CM Patnaik said “a record ” claiming to have carried out the “biggest human evacuation in history”. He hailed the 4.5 crore people involved in the process — the evacuees and rescuers — as he appreciated volunteers and officials working round the clock to pull off the feat. “This led to one of the biggest human evacuations in history – a record 1.2 million people were evacuated in 24 hours. 3.2 lakh from Ganjam and 1.3 lakh people from Puri.”

RECENT STORIES

Nagaland State Lottery Result: March 28, 2024, 6 PM Live - Watch Streaming Of Winners List Of Dear...

Nagaland State Lottery Result: March 28, 2024, 6 PM Live - Watch Streaming Of Winners List Of Dear...

'BJP Is Running Racket...Money Trail Has Been Established. I Have Proof': Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal...

'BJP Is Running Racket...Money Trail Has Been Established. I Have Proof': Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal...

'During Congress Rule, Even Tea Vendor Could Contest', Says Pawan Khera After FM Sitharaman Opts Out...

'During Congress Rule, Even Tea Vendor Could Contest', Says Pawan Khera After FM Sitharaman Opts Out...

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: About 80,000 Leaders, Workers From Different Parties Join BJP Ahead Of...

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: About 80,000 Leaders, Workers From Different Parties Join BJP Ahead Of...

Lok Sabha Election 2024: Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Declines BJP Ticket, Says 'Don't Have...

Lok Sabha Election 2024: Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Declines BJP Ticket, Says 'Don't Have...