The state is taking precautionary measures against cyclone Fani by directing schools to stay shut, keeping NDRF teams on standby and setting up community shelters to tackle any kind of emergency.

“We have directed all state-owned and private schools to remain shut for two days (May 3 and 4) in view of the alert issued by Met department,” East Singhbhum district superintendent of education Brijmohan Kumar said.

A few schools have decided to advance their summer vacation. “Following the district administration order, we have decided to advance the summer vacation from May 3 instead of May 6. The school will reopen on June 17,” Rakhi Banerjee, principal of Sakchi-based Rajendra Vidyalaya, said.

Schools in West Singhbhum, which also shares it border with Odisha, have also been directed to remain closed on May 3 and 4.

In Ranchi, all schools will remain closed on May 3 and 4.

A 30-member team of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) reached steel city from Ranchi on Thursday afternoon.

“We had sought NDRF’s services to tackle any emergency. They will be deployed in the district headquarters and sent to other areas based on the requirement. We have also asked BDOs to make public announcement in villages having a large number of kachcha huts Community shelters have been set up in panchayat buildings to accommodate villagers,” East Singhbhum DC Amit Kumar said.

The administration has set up an emergency helpline number 0657-2440111. The civil defence and Red Cross personnel have also been asked to be prepared.

Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee held a meeting to make arrangements for community shelters in low-lying areas in the city and on its outskirts. “We have identified nearly 16 community shelters, which will contain relief materials. Trained divers will also be deployed at such shelters,” JNAC special officer Krishna Kumar said. A 24/7 control room will be set up at JNAC office in Sakchi.

Ranchi DC Ray Mahimapat Rai said a control room had been established under the leadership of an additional collector and hospitals have been alerted.

A number of trains have been cancelled as a precautionary measure.

Among them are: Rourkela-Bhubaneswar Inter City Express, Rourkela-Gunu Pur Rajya Rani Express, Hatia-Puri Tapaswani Express, Bokaro Steel City-Bhubaneswar Garib Rath Express on May 4; New Delhi-Bhubaneswar Rajdhani Express (via Tatanagar) on May 2; Patna Ernakulam Junction Superfast Express (22644), Mujaffarpur Yashvantpur Express (15228) on May 6; Nandan Kanan Express (12816) on May 2; Neelanchal Express (12875) on May 3; Puri- New Delhi Purushottam Express (12801) on May 2 & 3; New Delhi-Puri Purushottam Express (12802) on

May. 2.