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Cyclone Vardah: Two dead as storm lashes south India coast Cyclone Vardah: Several dead as storm lashes Indian coast
(about 7 hours later)
At least two people have been killed and thousands evacuated from coastal areas in two southern Indian states, as Cyclone Vardah lashed Chennai (Madras). At least seven people have been killed and thousands evacuated from coastal areas in two southern Indian states, as Cyclone Vardah lashed Chennai (Madras).
Schools and businesses were shut and airport services suspended, as the cyclone made landfall with heavy rain and winds of up to 120km/h (75mph). Schools and businesses were shut and airport services suspended, as the cyclone made landfall with heavy rain and winds of up to 140km/h (85mph).
Teams from the army and National Disaster Relief Force, along with two naval ships, are on standby.Teams from the army and National Disaster Relief Force, along with two naval ships, are on standby.
Fishermen in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have been warned not to go to sea.Fishermen in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have been warned not to go to sea.
Police said disaster management teams had evacuated more than 15,000 people from low-lying areas.
The Tamil Nadu state government said in a statement that 260 trees in the city had fallen as a result of strong winds. Parts of the city have also been flooded.The Tamil Nadu state government said in a statement that 260 trees in the city had fallen as a result of strong winds. Parts of the city have also been flooded.
Cyclone Vardah is 90km in diameter, so it will fully make landfall only in the next two to four hours," YK Reddy, director of the meteorology department in Hyderabad, told BBC Hindi. He said that the storm would weaken after that. Winds were so strong that glass panels were torn from the facade of Chennai's Hyatt-Regency hotel.
YK Reddy, director of the meteorology department in Hyderabad, told BBC Hindi the storm would weaken after making landfall.
The storm comes about a year after Chennai experienced devastating floods which killed 70 people.The storm comes about a year after Chennai experienced devastating floods which killed 70 people.
In December 2011, more than 30 people died and many homes were damaged after a cyclone struck near the town of Pondicherry.In December 2011, more than 30 people died and many homes were damaged after a cyclone struck near the town of Pondicherry.
And in May 2010 at least 23 people died as a powerful cyclone caused widespread havoc across Andhra Pradesh.And in May 2010 at least 23 people died as a powerful cyclone caused widespread havoc across Andhra Pradesh.