Bhubaneswar: The coastal state of Odisha is pulling all stops in bracing itself for the impact of Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm FANI.

The state government appointed nine IAS officers today to oversee relief, rehabilitation and restoration operations.

Sudarshan Pal Thakur, Krishan Kumar, Saswata Mishra and Hemanta Kumar Padhi have been given the responsibilities of Bhadrak, Khordha, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara, respectively, accoding to the official order.

Similarly, Suresh Chandra Mahapatra, Pradeep Kumar Jena amd Anil Kumar Samal have been given charge of Puri, Kendrapara and Jajpurm separately.

Prem Kumar Choudhury and Abdaal Akhtar will lead the operations in Balasore while Monisha Bannerjee has been attached to the office of the Special Relief Commissioner.

Sanjiv Chopra and Sangramjit Nayak have been appointed in Cuttack and Cittack Municipal Corporation, respectively.

The officers have been directed to report to their corresponding areas by today afternoon.

Furthermore, leaves of doctors and health staff have been cancelled till May 15 and those on leave have been directed to return to respective district headquarters by evening today. The Health Department has also asked Chief District Medical Officers (CDMOs) to supervise.

Cyclonic Storm FANI is likely to cross Odisha coast near Satapada in Puri district on May 3 afternoon with maximum sustained wind speed of 175-185 kmph gusting to 205 kmph, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said today.

After landfall, it is likely to pass through Khordha, Cuttack, Jajpur, Bhadrak and Balasore districts, IMD sources said.

On the other hand, as per the forecast by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) of the United States Navy, Cyclonic Storm FANI would cross near Balukhanda in Puri on May 3 afternoon. The wind speed before landfall would be about 175 kmph and pass through Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack (Niali), Jajpur, Bhadrak, Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts before going to West Bengal.