CYCLONE FANI WENT BERSERK ON ODISHA COAST

North Indian Ocean tropical cyclone (TC) wreaked havoc and trail trauma and devastation in the littoral state of Odisha on 3^rd May. The sobriquet Fani suggested by IMO(International Meteorological Organisation)  is used in the colloquial language of Bangladesh, means hood of a venomous snake enveloped the entire Odisha coastal districts of Odisha. In 18 hours it caused mayhem in the coastal Odisha starting with Pilgrim city Puri and ending in Balasore.

Odisha had encountered one of the worst natural calamity in the last five decade. The state approached the tropical cyclone with most up-to-date technologies and preparedness, still was ill-fated in front of a natural disaster. After pulling off miraculous feet in last decade for attaining zero causalities during the deadly cyclonic storms of ‘Huduhudu’and ‘Phailin’ it faltered as the severity was so intensifying and intriguing to be surmounted. The impact was so gruesome and gut-wrenching probably second to the super cyclone of 1999. In 1999 the state was languishing at the bottom in terms of poverty and unemployment but in the last decade, it has leapfrogged and grown to some stature in certain areas, especially its capital Bhubaneswar and city Puri were shouldering the lion’s share.

The epicentre of the havoc was Puri the abode of Lord Jagannath. The Almighty was not only worshipped in  Odisha or India bur across the globe. The landfall of tropical cyclone zeroed at Balikhanda, a village between Puri and town Konark around 8 a.m. Within hours the cyclonic storm ransacked the city of joy with a trail of miseries and adversaries. The thatched and tin houses were completely blown away. The tall trees are uprooted and creating roadblocks. Infrastructures in terms of electric and telephone poles, buildings and towers were castled in no time. Apart from the wind storm, the copious rainfall inundated the low-lying areas between Puri to Chillika. The pain and adversary were so hefty it can be felt and heeded from the local residents and live viewers. The devastation did not end here, it also did not give any respite to the one and only the Lord Jagannath temple. With a wind speed of 175-180 km/h and gusting up to more than 200 km/h, the cyclonic Fani demolished important architecture of gigantic Jagannath temple. The left entrance, Singh dwar(Lion’s entrance) one of four entrances was horribly damaged. The holy tree, Kalpa bata in the premise of the temple as the name suggests a sign of promises and faiths was badly mutilated. The horrendous impact could not also leave the famous Sakhigopal Temple and Baraha temple juxtaposed to the holy tree.

The merciless Fani after causing mayhem marched precipitously to conquer the city of temples, the state capital, Bhubaneswar. Here it was gusting with a wind speed up to 150 km/h did not bother to spare a single infrastructure. People lost a life, living hood and shelter in hours. The city cowardly submitted to the wrath of the cyclone within 5 hours. As the volume of destruction is yet to be ascertained, time will tell how long it will take to restore the normalcy.

Post Fani the real adversary is coming to the effect. The merciless Fani has snatched away all the merry and peace from the capital city within a whisker. Be a have or have not everybody faced the brunt of the cyclonic disaster. Electricity was cut off from the rest of the world. Without electricity water supply was a distant dream of the masses. Poverty stricken people those heavily dependent upon govt sources remained clueless. They sheltered to their vicinity in schools, colleges and corporate offices with expectations and apprehensions. Endless rows were gathered in front of govt resources for food, shelter and drinking water

Cyclones mostly formed during the onset of monsoon i.e in the month of April and May and retreat of monsoon in October and November. In the last four decade, Odisha was never hit by a cyclone in the month of May. The surprised deadly disaster as it spent more time on the sea surface gathered heat energy and momentum to make havoc on Odisha Coast. It certainly pushed Odisha to the corner of pity and poverty overnight.

As official data surfaced that casualties were 30 and including 12 in Puri but definitely it can be increased in coming days. The most of the coastal districst starting from Puri and moving north, Khorda, Cuttack , Jajpur , Kendrapada, Bhadrak and Balasore faced the disaster in no time without any answer. Though centre and neighbouring states are pouring down all possible means and support, it will be an upheaval task to counter the trauma and trail of devastation. It is high time for govt and private agencies to come forward to make God’s abode to resurrect, recuperate and restore its pride, peace and prestige to the fullest extent in upcoming days.