3 killed as cyclone Fani batters Odisha

International Desk: At least three people were killed on Friday as Cyclone Fani battered Odisha, causing extensive damage in Puri and many others parts of the eastern state.

India Meteorological Department said the Cyclone Fani — the strongest to hit India in five years — is gradually weakening and moving towards West Bengal after which it will enter Bangladesh. Heavy rains, along with strong winds, will continue throughout Friday in Odisha, where more than a million people have been evacuated.

“After making landfall this morning, Cyclone Fani has started weakening and it’s likely to enter Bangladesh by tomorrow evening. No cyclone ever had such a long duration in April,” KJ Ramesh, director general of IMD, said while speaking to reporters.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday the Centre has released more than Rs 1000 crore to all the states, which will face the brunt of Cyclone Fani that made landfall near Puri.

Prime Minister Modi, who was addressing an election rally in Rajasthan, said the Centre is in touch with government in Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

Source: Hindustan Times


risingbd/Dhaka/May 3, 2019/AI