Bhubaneswar: In view of the possible cyclonic storm 'Fani’, the Odisha Fire Services Department has cancelled all leaves and directed all its staff to join duty as soon as possible to face any kind of eventuality during the cyclone.

Speaking to mediapersons, Fire Services Director General BK Sharma today said around 347 additional fire personnel will be deployed in coastal districts like Cuttack, Puri, Khordha, Balasore and Bhadrak by this evening.

“Sixty additional fire staff for Cuttack and 30 personnel for Bhubaneswar have been kept on standby for the possible cyclone. Besides, senior officials will be engaged at headquarters of these districts to inspect preparedness,” informed Sharma.

Meanwhile, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Bishnupada Sethi informed that 889 multi-purpose shelters have been kept ready ahead of the possible calamity. Evacuation of people residing in seaside areas will begin from May 2, he added.

Yesterday, the Odisha Government cancelled leave of Government officials of four districts- Puri, Ganjam, Kendrapara and Khordha- and instructed them to be prepared with essential medicines, food and drinking water to meet emergency situations.

Chief Secretary AP Padhi, after a high-level meeting yesterday, said that 20 teams of Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and 12 units of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been kept in readiness in view of ‘Fani’.

Meanwhile, fishermen along the Odisha coast have been advised not to venture into the sea from May 2 onward.

As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), cyclonic Storm Fani is likely to trigger light to moderate rainfall at a few places over south coastal Odisha on May 2 and heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places over coastal Odisha on May 3 and 4.

Squally wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph is very likely to commence along & off Odisha coast from May 2 and very likely to become gale wind, speed reaching 60-70 kmph gusting to 85 kmph from May 3 morning. It would increase gradually for subsequent 24 hours and decrease thereafter.

Sea conditions very likely to be rough to very rough along & off Odisha coast between May 2 and 4 for which fishermen are advised not to venture into deep sea.