This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-48121606
The article has changed 19 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Cyclone Fani: India begins evacuations as storm moves up coast | |
(about 8 hours later) | |
Thousands of people are being evacuated from villages along India's eastern coastline ahead of a severe cyclone. | |
Cyclone Fani is heading towards the state of Orissa with wind speeds in excess of 200 km/h (127 mph), and is expected to make landfall on Friday. | |
Officials have now shut down operations at two major ports on the east coast, and thousands of rescuers are helping people evacuate from low-lying areas. | |
Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu states are also on high alert. | Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu states are also on high alert. |
Which areas will be affected? | Which areas will be affected? |
The cyclone is currently moving up the Bay of Bengal, east of Andhra Pradesh. | The cyclone is currently moving up the Bay of Bengal, east of Andhra Pradesh. |
HR Biswas, director of the meteorological centre in Orissa's state capital, Bhubaneshwar, said at least 11 districts would be hit - and that they have "suggested people stay indoors". | |
India's National Disaster Management Authority has also warned people along the rest of India's east coast, especially fishermen, not to go out to sea because the conditions are "phenomenal". | |
The agency said the "total destruction of thatched houses" was possible, as well as "extensive damage" to other structures. | |
Once the cyclone has made landfall in north-eastern India, it is expected to move towards Chittagong in Bangladesh in a weaker form on Saturday. | |
The port city of Cox's Bazar, where hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees live in camps with minimal shelter, is also on alert. | |
Back in February, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) began distributing tarpaulins ahead of the region's "cyclone season" - but warned that if a deadly storm rolls in, shelters made of battered bamboo and shredded plastic will offer little protection. | |
How has India prepared? | How has India prepared? |
Indian officials say they have set up more than 850 shelters, which are thought to be able to hold almost one million people. | Indian officials say they have set up more than 850 shelters, which are thought to be able to hold almost one million people. |
The navy, the coast guard and the National Disaster Response Force have all been prepared for deployment. | The navy, the coast guard and the National Disaster Response Force have all been prepared for deployment. |
Local media report that about 81 trains travelling to and from coastal cities have been cancelled. | Local media report that about 81 trains travelling to and from coastal cities have been cancelled. |
India's electoral commission has relaxed its rules about what the government can do during election periods so that the authorities can carry out relief work. | India's electoral commission has relaxed its rules about what the government can do during election periods so that the authorities can carry out relief work. |
The country is in the middle of a multi-phased election which started last month. | |
Under normal circumstances the incumbent government has certain powers suspended, so that it can't announce new schemes or take new decisions during the voting period. | Under normal circumstances the incumbent government has certain powers suspended, so that it can't announce new schemes or take new decisions during the voting period. |
Although the election will continue until the end of May, Orissa has already voted. | Although the election will continue until the end of May, Orissa has already voted. |