Severe cyclonic storm 'Fani' itensified into a very severe cyclonic storm on Tuesday, and is likely hit the Odisha coast between Puri and Kendrapara by Friday, a senior official said. The cyclonic storm moved at a speed of about 16 kmph in the last six hours and intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm. The impact of 'Fani' is likely to be much more severe than 'Titli', which had hit the Odisha-Andhra coast last year, Biswas said. At least 60 people had been killed when cyclone 'Titli' struck Odisha in October 2018. Biswas said 'Fani' is very likely to intensify further into an extremely severe cyclonic storm during the next 36 hours, and expected to move northwestwards till May 1 evening, and, thereafter, recurve north-northeastwards towards Odisha coast.

Source: dna April 30, 2019 12:45 UTC