With cyclone Fani having intensified into a extremely severe cyclonic storm, the Indian Navy today said it has started preparations to provide assistance in case of an emergency. The navy has prepared ships with additional divers, doctors, inflatable rubber boats and relief materials. The navy said that its aircraft are also standing by at air stations in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh to undertake reconnaissance, rescue, casualty evacuation and air drop of relief material to the stranded if required. Cyclone Fani is headed towards the Odisha coast and is likely to hit south of Puri on Friday afternoon, the weather department said on Monday. Officials had earlier said that Fani can worsen into an “extremely severe cyclone” by tomorrow, prompting the government to put the National Disaster Response Force and the Indian Coast Guard on high alert. Tourists in West Bengal’s coastal areas have been asked not to go near the sea between May 2 and 4, with fishermen warned not to venture into the seas from May 2 in view of the developing severe cyclonic storm ‘Fani’ which is expected to trigger heavy showers in the coastal districts where wind speeds may go up to 110-115 km per hour, officials and weather experts said on Monday. “Fishermen have been asked not to venture into the seas from May 2. The tourists who are visiting the coastal areas of West Bengal, have been asked to stay away from the sea from May 2-4,” the officials said. All fishermen who have already gone to the deep seas, have been asked to return to the shore by Wednesday, and refrain from venturing into the waters till further notification. The East Midnapore district administration has been asked to take all preventive measures and maintain strong vigil on the Digha, Mandarmani and other beaches so as to stop visitors from bathing on the three days on the turbulent sea. Water sports activities will also remain cancelled. Fishermen associations have been advised not to sail any boat during the period.