KATHMANDU: Mountain flights, highland trekkers and mountain climbers in Nepal are likely to be affected due to cyclone Fani today and tomorrow, the Meteorological  Forecasting Division has warned.

According to Bibhuti Pokharel, a meteorologist at the Division, strong windstorm rising from the Bay of Bengal is rushing towards Bangladesh via Indian State of  Odisha. It may impact in Nepal too, though minor, when it makes landfall  in the Himalayan region.

According to Pokharel, it may affect Kathmandu and Nepal’s mountainous region. Hence, mountain climbers, trekkers, flights are advised to take precautionary measures.

Cyclone Fani, the strongest storm in India in two decades, hit Odisha Friday morning and has started making its impact felt.

Strong wind was seen in state capital Bhubaneswar and the temple town of Puri which also saw heavy rainfall. Strong winds were seen in parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal as well.

The impact of the landfall is likely to continue till around 11 am and after that, the cyclone is expected to move north-westwards and gradually weaken as it reaches West Bengal by early tomorrow morning.

The Odisha government has evacuated over 11 lakh people from the coastal areas to camps on higher grounds. The Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and disaster management agencies are on stand-by. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Thursday, reviewed preparedness for Cyclone Fani with his senior-most officials.

(With inputs from Agencies)