Cyclone Fani may turn 'extremely severe' in Chennai; PM Narendra Modi briefed by officials, asks them to be 'prepared to provide all possible assistance'

On Monday, April 29, India Meteorological Department issued a notice that Cyclone Fani can be extremely severe in Chennai, however, it ruled out its earlier notice of landfall in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. It stated that there is a possibility of landfall in Odisha.

The press release by India Meteorological Department says that Cyclonic Storm ‘Fani’ on Monday morning, is located at 880 Kms South East of Chennai.  It is expected to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm by April 30.  The storm will continue to move North West and change its path to North East from May 1.    

Further, it stated that the Prime Minister is closely monitoring the situation and has directed Cabinet Secretary to convene the Meeting of National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) to take stock of the situation with State Governments and Central Ministries/Agencies concerned and ensure that all preparations to deal with any situation are in place. 

The Prime Minister also took to Twitter to make people aware and urge the officials to prepare for any situation: 

IMD has put NDRF and Indian Coast Guard on high alert and placed them at the disposal of State Government Authorities.  

Regular warnings have been issued since April 25 to fishermen not to venture into the sea and those at sea has been asked to return to the coast.  IMD is also issuing three hourly bulletins with the latest forecast to all the concerned States. Ministry of Home Affairs is also in continuous touch with the State Governments and the Central Agencies concerned.