The death toll in Odisha Rose to 12 on Saturday, 4 May after cyclone Fani ravaged the state on Friday leading to destruction of life and property.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to announce that he will visit the state on Monday, 6 May.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, while briefing the media on Saturday said that a record 1.2 million people had been evacuated with the help of over 45,000 volunteers.
Equipment at Bhubaneswar airport has also been significantly damaged but flight operations are expected to begin by 1 pm on Saturday, a government official said.
(Source: Windy.com)
Helpline numbers:
- Ministry of Home Affairs’ helpline number 1938 has been made operational
- Odisha: 6742534177
- Puri: 06752-223237
- Rayagada: 06856-224062/224082
- Cuttack: 0671-2507842/9337419494
- Sambalpur: 0663-2412407
- Angul: 06764-230980
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Death Toll in Odisha Rises to 12
A day after cyclonic storm 'Fani' ravaged parts of Odisha, the death toll due to the calamity, which stood at eight on Friday, mounted to 12 with four fresh casualties reported from Mayurbhanj district.
All the four people were killed after uprooted trees fell on them at different places in Baripada, the emergency officer of Mayurbhanj district, S K Pati, said.
1.2 Million People Evacuated: Naveen Patnaik
Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik on Saturday briefed the media over the situation in the state.
"A record of 1.2 million people were evacuated in 24 hours, 3.2 lakh from Ganjam, 1.3 lakh from Puri & almost 7000 kitchens catering to 9000 shelters were made functional overnight. This mammoth exercise involved more than 45,000 volunteers," he said.
UN Praises IMD For 'Accurate Predicition'
The UN agency for disaster reduction has commended the Indian Meteorological Department's "almost pinpoint accuracy" of early warnings that helped authorities conduct a well-targeted evacuation plan and minimise the loss of life as extremely severe cyclonic storm Fani made landfall near the coastal city of Puri.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has classified Fani as an "extremely severe cyclonic storm".
Flight Services in Bhubaneshwar to Resume from 1 pm
According to the Times of India, flight services in Bhubaneshwar airport will resume from 1 pm today.