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This thread is a Salute to the Odisha Govt, GoI, Indian Navy, various agencies that did a fabulous collaborative effort in minimising the damages caused by the Cyclone “Fani”. It has been described as a Super Typhoon with a windspeed of over 150 kmph (NDTV)
Fani is the most severe cyclonic storm since the super cyclone of 1999 that claimed close to 10,000 to 15000 lives and left a trail of destruction in vast swathes of the state, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre (JWTC).
What has been remarkable has been the loss of lives has been very low (even that is unfortunate). What made the difference. From my various readings: Anticipation based on Advance information, planning, execution and no panicking.
Just imagine, on May 2nd, RSTV, in their website, wrote this: Fani, according to sources, has gathered speed and is rolling menacingly towards Odisha coast clocking 16 km per hour. It is likely to make a landfall close to Gopalpur near the holy town of Puri between 8-10 AM.
Much before the earlier forecast of 3 pm on Friday. The latest IMD bulletin said it lay centred over west-central Bay of Bengal about 320 km south-southwest of Puri.
rstv.nic.in/massive-evacua…
rstv.nic.in/massive-evacua…
Continual Tracking - 
State of Readiness: Odisha does have shelters prepared, 879 to be precise as per reports from Economic Times. These can harbour one million people. Educational institutes were already shut in anticipation and the government is aiming to curb casualties.
As per reports in Indian Express the IMD (Indian Meteorological Department) is aiming at making it is a zero-casualty cyclone. The Puri coastline will be on high alert till 12 pm today (May 2, 219).
in.mashable.com/science/3224/d…
in.mashable.com/science/3224/d…
Execution: According to RSTV, “Over 11.5 lakh people in vulnerable, low lying areas of 13 districts are being shifted to cyclone shelters and other safe houses, in arguably the largest evacuation ever before an impending natural calamity, officials said.
Moving more than 1 Million people Moving more than 1 Million people in a space of less than 1 day is nothing short of miracle. And, we the people of India, need to congratulate all involved in achieving this.
IMAGE: Superintendent of Police Pinak Mishra appeals to villagers living in vulnerable low-lying areas to shift to a cyclone shelter house, in Brahmapur, Odisha. Photograph: PTI Photo
Lugging their valuables, people were seen boarding buses and tempos made available by the administration, or walking to safer places amid drizzle on a windy day, as the sea got increasingly rough.
Nearly 3.5 lakh people have already been evacuated to safety, official sources said. “Evacuation is in progress on a war-footing. Around 30 per cent of the targeted people have so far been moved to safe places,” said a senior official.”
"Over 11 lakh people in 10,000 odd villages and 52 urban local bodies were shifted to cyclone shelters and other safe houses", officials said. The evacuation process, carried out on a war footing, is almost complete," said an official.
ToI reports that Satellites of ISRO were continually providing updates every 15 minutes on the Cyclone and how it was moving which enabled them to track very closely.
This is one of the remarkable achievements and should answer many a critics as to why we are launching many satellites. When every such natural calamity occurs, and we are able to minimise its impact due to advance notice, every penny spent is truly worth it.
This is a feat that should be recognized by every Indian as to how timely planning and execution can yield great results. By the grace of Lord Jagannath, much of Odisha escaped with minimal human casualties thought loss of property has occured.
Information, photo credits to: RSTV, Rediff.com, Rightlog.in, @ndtv, @mashable Indian Express, @IAF_MCC ,
