Cyclonic storm Fani to hit Odisha coast on Friday; 12 districts on alert

The storm is expected to cause heavy rains at isolated places in Odisha and West Bengal

With cyclonic storm Fani set to hit Odisha coast on Friday, the state government is taking all precautionary measures to ensure that there are no casualties. 

Like in the case of cyclones like Phailin, Hudhud and Titli over the past five years, the state government is planning a massive evacuation of people from areas likely to be affected by the storm.  

Fani, now categorised as a severe cyclonic storm, lay centered over the Bay of Bengal and would intensify into an extremely severe cyclonic storm on Wednesday, said Indian Meteorological Department  (IMD) officials.  

According to an IMD forecast,