New Delhi, May 2: With the Indian Meteorological Department issuing a warning following the intensification of Cyclone Fani in the coastal areas of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh Indian Railways has announced special trains to evacuate people from the affected areas. As a precautionary measure, 43 trains have been cancelled in south-east and south areas.

According to the latest update from the IMD, the cyclone is 450 km away south south-west of Puri at 5:30 am on Thursday and is moving towards north-east, with speculations to hit Gopalpur and Chandbali in Odisha on Friday. The IMD has predicted that around 20 cms of rainfall might take place in the affected areas and wind would blow at a speed of 170-180 kmph. The tourists in Puri have been asked to leave Puri immediately. Cyclone Fani Intensifies, Indian Navy On Standby for Emergency As IMD Issues Alert in Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. 

The South Eastern Railway has announced that two more special trains will start from Puri at 3 pm and 6 pm on Thursday for Howrah, with stoppages at Khurda Road, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Jajpur, Kendujhar road, Bhadrak, Balasore & Kharagpur respectively.

Along with this, all 11 coastal districts and adjoining interior districts have been kept at high alert with heavy to very heavy rainfall expected in the region. Along with this, NDRF teams have been deployed in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha for the rescue operations.

Earlier, the Indian Navy has started its preparedness to provide assistance in case of an emergency. It also informed that the defence force has kept its additional divers, doctors, inflatable rubber boats and relief materials on standby. Cyclone 'Fani' Very Likely to Intensify Into 'Severe Cyclonic Storm', Warns IMD; Odisha, Tamil Nadu on Alert. 

The Indian Navy spokesperson had said, "Naval aircraft are also standing by at the Naval Air Stations INS Rajali at Arakkonam, Tamilnadu and INS Dega at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh to undertake reconnaissance, rescue, casualty evacuation and airdrop of relief material to the stranded if required."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 02, 2019 12:43 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).