Bhubaneswar, May 2: As the Cyclone Fani is expected to make landfall on the Eastern Coast of the country today, the red alert has been issued in Odisha. About ten thousand villages and 52 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) are likely to be affected by the storm. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik visited the office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) and reviewed the preparedness to tackle the cyclone. Cyclone Fani Update: After Bhubaneswar, Kolkata Airport to Remain Closed as Landfall Nears.

Chief Secretary A.P. Padhi and SRC Bishnupada Sethi briefed the Chief Minister that about ten thousand villages and fifty-two ULBs are likely to be affected. Patnaik appealed to people to remain indoor when the cyclone crosses the coast and said all arrangements have been made keeping in view the safety and security of people. The chief secretary said the cyclone is likely to make landfall in Puri city or nearby areas. Cyclone Fani Update: GoAir, IndiGo Flights To and From Bhubaneswar Airport Cancelled; Vistara Waives Fees as Landfall Nears.

All educational institutions and offices including government and private have been asked to remain closed in 11 districts, said Padhi. Meanwhile, the health department has deputed 302 rapid response teams comprising one medical officer and pharmacist and opened 936 medical relief camps in the affected districts.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the cyclone is very likely to move north-northeastwards and cross Odisha Coast between Gopalpur and Chandbali, around Puri on May 3 forenoon with a maximum sustained wind speed of 170-180 kmph gusting to 200 kmph.

In the wake of the Cyclone Fani, the Andhra Pradesh government has also issued a red alert in the districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and parts of Visakhapatnam. The Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh has reviewed the situation on the preparedness of the administration of the three districts. People are also advised not to visit the beaches. According to reports, 15 NDRF teams, 34 boat rescue teams and 116 road clearance are deployed and on standby

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting to review the preparedness for the storm. The Prime Minister was briefed on the likely path of the cyclone, and the ongoing precautionary and preparatory measures being undertaken.

Yesterday, the Indian Navy, NDRF, SDRF and Coast Guard mentioned that they had kept their personnel and relief measures ready to help rescue as many people as they can. Indian Naval Ships Sahyadri, Ranvir and Kadmatt with Relief Material and Medical Teams embarked have been deployed on the evening of May 1. Additional Relief Material, Medical Teams and Diving Teams have been shifted from Visakhapatnam to Odisha by road to augment the Rescue and Relief efforts under Naval Officer-in-Charge. Aircraft have been kept standby for immediate deployment to carry out aerial survey as soon as the cyclone crosses coast to assess the impact of the cyclone and aid in rescue operations.

With the Cyclone Fani intensifying towards the north-east coastal area of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, the Indian Railways have cancelled 103 train in the southern area, while all the trains plying between Howrah and Puri have been cancelled too. Various airlines have also cancelled their services to Bhubaneshwar citing the bad weather.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 03, 2019 12:02 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).