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 11 Version 12
Cyclone Fani: Mass evacuations as storm moves up India's coast Cyclone Fani: Powerful storm slams into eastern India coast
(about 11 hours later)
Thousands of people are being evacuated from villages along India's eastern coastline ahead of a severe cyclone. Cyclone Fani has slammed into India's eastern coastline, according to the country's Meteorological Department.
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. Heavy rain has been reported in the eastern state of Orissa, also called Odisha, which is directly in the path of the storm.
Officials have shut down operations at two major ports on the east coast, and thousands of officials are helping to evacuate people in low-lying areas. The tourist town of Puri and neighbouring areas are experiencing winds with a speed of 175 km/h (108mph), which may go up to 200 km/h.
Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu states are also on high alert. Officials say there are no casualties.
About 800,000 people are being evacuated, officials told the BBC. Nearly 100,000 live in the city of Puri where Fani is predicted to make landfall on Friday morning. However flooding has been reported from several areas, and reports are coming in of trees falling and roofs of buildings being destroyed.
Puri is also home to the 858-year-old Jagannath temple and officials fear it could be damaged by the cyclone. More than a million people have been evacuated from Orissa and moved to shelters while several neighbouring states have also been put on high alert.
All schools and universities in the state have shut. The cyclone is expected to hit 15 districts in Orissa, apart from Puri, which is home to the 858-year-old Jagannath temple.
The Indian Navy said it had sent seven warships to the area, and six planes and seven helicopters were on standby for relief operations. Numerous flights and train services in and out of the state have been cancelled, while schools and government offices are shut. Operations at three ports on India's eastern coast have been shut down.
Forecasters have warned that torrential rain could trigger a storm surge of about 1.5m (5ft) in some low-lying areas of Orissa, also known as Odisha. The state and federal governments have swung into action - naval warships and helicopters have been moved to the state and are on standby with medical teams and relief material. The country's National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has also sent several teams there.
Cyclone Fani will be the fourth storm to hit the country's east coast in the last three decades. Cyclone Fani will be the fourth storm to hit India's east coast in the last three decades.
In 2017, Cyclone Ockhi killed more than 200 people and displaced hundreds. In October of last year, officials in Orissa evacuated hundreds of thousands of people when another cyclone struck. In 2017, Cyclone Ockhi killed more than 200 people and displaced hundreds. In October last year, officials in Orissa evacuated hundreds of thousands of people when another cyclone struck.
The state's most deadly cyclone on record took place in 1999, killing almost 10,000 people.
Which areas will be affected?Which areas will be affected?
Fani is currently moving up the Bay of Bengal, east of Andhra Pradesh.
India's National Disaster Management Authority has warned people along the east coast, especially fishermen, not to go out to sea because the conditions are "phenomenal".India's National Disaster Management Authority has warned people along the 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.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, it is expected to move towards Chittagong in Bangladesh in a weaker form on Saturday. The cyclone is expected to move towards Chittagong in Bangladesh in a weaker form on Saturday.
The cyclone coincides with high tides in Bangladesh which may exacerbate potential flooding issues there.The cyclone coincides with high tides in Bangladesh which may exacerbate potential flooding issues there.
The port city of Cox's Bazar, where hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees live in camps with minimal shelter, is also on alert. But the cyclone is currently not expected to hit the camps unless it changes path, which is not thought likely.The port city of Cox's Bazar, where hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees live in camps with minimal shelter, is also on alert. But the cyclone is currently not expected to hit the camps unless it changes path, which is not thought likely.
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 would offer little protection.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 would offer little protection.
How has India prepared?How has India prepared?
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. It has also stationed two ships with divers and doctors at the southern port cities of Vishakapatnam and Chennai (formerly Madras), an official told local media.The navy, the coast guard and the National Disaster Response Force have all been prepared for deployment. It has also stationed two ships with divers and doctors at the southern port cities of Vishakapatnam and Chennai (formerly Madras), an official told local media.
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.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.
Are you in the region? What are conditions like at the moment? What preparations have you made? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukAre you in the region? What are conditions like at the moment? What preparations have you made? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
Or use the form below:Or use the form below: