Cyclone FANI: Rain, strong wind begin in Puri; Patitapabana Bana atop Srimandir snaps off

Puri: With the extremely severe cyclonic storm ‘Fani’ over Bay of Bengal likely to cross Odisha coast around Puri in the afternoon tomorrow, rain has already started at various places in the town today.

While the sky has remained overcast, rain accompanied with strong wind has started occurring at some places in the pilgrim town triggering panic among tourists as well as the localities.

The intensity of the wind is so high that the Patitapabana Bana (holy flag) atop Srimandir here snapped off. However, servitors later fixed another flag atop Nilachakra (metal wheel) of the centuries-old temple soon after.

Meanwhile, the district administration has started evacuating people from seaside areas to safer places. Besides, the administration has made special OSRTC bus arrangements for tourists for their safe return from the pilgrim town.