Cyclone Fani: PM Modi speaks to Naveen Patnaik, to visit Odisha on Monday

In the aftermath of Cyclone Fani, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday spoke to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to take stock of the situation that claimed at least 10 lives across the state. The PM spoke to the Odisha Chief Minister and assured all necessary assistance from the Centre in restoring normalcy across the cyclone-hit state.

"Spoke to Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik Ji and discussed situation prevailing due to Cyclone Fani. Assured continuous support from Central Government in the wake of the cyclone. Entire nation stands in solidarity with all those affected by the cyclone in different parts of the state," the PM said. PM Modi also said he will visit Odisha on Monday to take stock of the situation.

Day after tomorrow, on the 6th morning, I will be going to Odisha to take stock of the situation arising in the wake of Cyclone Fani.

— Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 4, 2019

He also spoke to the governor of Odisha Professor Ganeshi Lal on the situation in the state. The PM assured all possible help from the Centre to the people of Odisha, who are showing exemplary courage in the face of a natural disaster.

Puri, where the cyclone made landfall, was the most hit by the severe cyclonic storm, which entered West Bengal post-midnight and unleashed heavy rainfall in the state.

The Prime Minister also spoke to the governor of West Bengal, Keshari Nath Tripathi, on Saturday about the ground situation after Cyclone Fani. During his conversation with Tripathi, the prime minister reiterated the Centre’s readiness to provide all help needed to cope with the extremely severe cyclonic storm.

“Also conveyed my solidarity with the people of Bengal in the wake of Cyclone Fani,” Modi said in a tweet.

Fani barrelled through Odisha on Friday, unleashing copious rain and windstorm that gusted up to 175 kmph, killing at least eight people, blowing away thatched houses and swamping towns and villages, officials said.

Several districts of West Bengal, including East and West Midnapore, North and South 24 Pargana, besides Howrah, Hooghly, Jhargram, Kolkata and the Sundarbans are likely to be hit by the storm that would then move towards Bangladesh and taper off.

CM Patnaik held a review meeting with senior officials on the destruction caused by cyclonic storm Fani in the state on Friday.

Speaking to media after the meeting, Patnaik said that in the past 24 hours, over 12 lakh people have been evacuated from vulnerable districts to safer locations.

"Just now, I reviewed the cyclone situation with the state's Chief Secretary and other senior officers. Our first priority is to evacuate people living in vulnerable areas, including kutcha houses. In the last 24 hours, 12 lakh people have been evacuated to safer locations and they are being taken care of in shelters. As we speak, Fani is still passing through Odisha, and an assessment of damage will be possible only after it crosses the state," he said. 
"Restoration of electricity is a challenge. Electricity supply will be restored in Ganjam by Saturday. Restoration of communication has been completed in Ganjam and Gajapati districts," Patnaik added.