Kolkata, May 3: With the powerful 'Cyclone Fani' shifting its direction towards West Bengal and North East, heavy to very heavy rainfall has been predicted by IMD. Meanwhile, DG of PIB informed that after the damage at Bhubaneswar airport, restoration work is underway. He also informed that teams from the Airport Authority of India are working and aircraft movements expected by 1 PM tomorrow.

Meanwhile, six people have reportedly died in the cyclone in Odisha, while the government officials are yet to confirm the report. However, Principal Spokesperson Sintansu Kar had informed that 160 people have been injured in the Cyclone. He also added that power and telecom are completely down, and NDRF and State forces are clearing roads.  Cyclone Fani Update: AIIMS Bhubaneswar's Roof Ripped Off As 'Eye of Storm' Hits Odisha, PG Exam Cancelled; Watch Video. 

According to the latest reports Cyclone Fani - Currently situated at about 370 km southwest of Kolkata - is likely to enter West Bengal with a wind speed of 90-100 kmph gusting to 115 kmph by midnight to Saturday early morning, said an official.

In order to help the people, the Indian Army has deployed multiple columns and ETFs also standby at Barrackpore, Kolkata, Kanchrapara and Kankinara for West Bengal. Also Indian Navy has deployed six ships on Eastern seaboard for relief operations. Five ships, six aircraft and seven helicopters are on standby for rescue and relief operations at Vishakhapatnam. Disaster Response Teams, medical teams and diving teams standby at Chennai, Vishakhapatnam, Chilka and Kolkata.

Along with this, the Air Force deployed two C-17, two C-130, four AN-32 standby for relief tasks. Two MI-17 at Jagdalpur and four MI-17 at Ranchi standby for rescue and relief operations. Coast Guard has kept six ships, six standby for rescue and relief operations. The government has released an advance of funds of Rs 235.50 crore for West Bengal.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 03, 2019 08:50 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).