Cyclone Fani causes extensive damage to power infrastructure, standing trees

Street shops are seen collapsed due to gusty winds ahead of the landfall of cyclone Fani on the outskirts of Puri, Odisha, on Friday, May 3, 2019.

The extremely severe cyclonic storm Fani hit Odisha coast near Puri on Friday morning, causing extensive damage to power infrastructure, thatched houses and standing trees.

One person died in Kendrapara district while several others were injured in five districts including Puri, Khordha, Jagatsinghpur, Ganjam and Kendrapara. One woman died at Debendranarayanpur in Kendrapara district.

Cyclone Fani crossed Odisha between 8 am and 10 am. Trees were uprooted along the Bhubaneswar-Puri road, resulting in disruption in vehicular movement. Personnel from Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force and Fire Services were immediately pressed into service to clear road blockades.

While wind speed clocked 175 kmph in Puri, it blew at a speed over 130 kmph in Bhubaneswar as the cyclone moved towards West Bengal over Odisha.

Wildlife sanctuaries such as Nalabana Bird Sanctuary, Balukhanda Wildlife Sanctuary, Nandankanan Zoological Park and Bhitarakanika Wildlife Sanctuaries were all hit by the storm. Detailed reports about extent of damage are awaited.