As cyclone Fani approaches, RTGS warns against selfies near the sea

Severe cyclonic storm likely to cross coast between Gopalpur and Chandbali in Odisha on afternoon of May 3

Returning fishermen try to control boat at Chandrabhaga beach in Odisha’s Puri district on April 30.

With the extremely severe cyclonic storm Fani expected to bring heavy rainfall to Andhra Pradesh, particularly the north coastal districts, the Real-Time Governance Society (RTGS) has warned fishermen against venturing into the sea, which is expected to be very rough.

In its cyclone warning, the RTGS also cautioned the general public to stay away from the sea and desist from taking selfies. A storm surge of 1.5 metres above the astronomical tide has been forecast by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

RTGS officials have alerted the Revenue and Police Departments to be prepared for any eventuality, and directed monitoring of coastal areas with the help of surveillance cameras.

Heavy rainfall

Meanwhile, the IMD stated in its bulletin that Fani might trigger rainfall at most places, with heavy, very heavy and extremely heavy rainfall (more than 20 cm) at isolated places in Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram districts on May 2, and heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places on May 3 in the same area.

Fani lay centred at 8.30 a.m. over west-central Bay of Bengal about 660 km south-southwest of Puri (Odisha) and 400 km south-southeast of Vishakhapatnam. It is likely to cross the coast between Gopalpur and Chandbali in Odisha on the afternoon of May 3.

Northwestward

The cyclone is very likely to move northwestward during the next 12 hours, and thereafter re-curve north-northeastwards and cross the Odisha coast between Gopalpur and Chandbali, with a maximum sustained wind speed of 170-180 km/ hour, gusting to 200 km/ hour, according to the IMD.