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 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-24487130

The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Cyclone Phailin: India's Orissa and Andhra Pradesh prepare for storm Cyclone Phailin: India's Orissa and Andhra Pradesh prepare for storm
(about 4 hours later)
India is preparing for a massive cyclone, which is sweeping through the Bay of Bengal towards the country's east coast. India is preparing for a massive cyclone, which is sweeping through the Bay of Bengal towards the east coast.
Cyclone Phailin, categorised as "very severe" by weather forecasters, is expected to hit Orissa and Andhra Pradesh states on Saturday.Cyclone Phailin, categorised as "very severe" by weather forecasters, is expected to hit Orissa and Andhra Pradesh states on Saturday.
The Meteorological Department has predicted winds of 205-215km (127-134 miles) at the time of landfall. The Meteorological Department has predicted the storm will bring winds of 205-215 km/h (127-134 mph) when it makes landfall.
A deadly super-cyclone in 1999 killed more than 10,000 people in Orissa.A deadly super-cyclone in 1999 killed more than 10,000 people in Orissa.
The army is on standby in the two states for emergency and relief operations, reports say. The army is on standby in the two states for emergency and relief operations.
Officials said helicopters and food packages were ready to be dropped in the storm-affected areas.Officials said helicopters and food packages were ready to be dropped in the storm-affected areas.
Fishermen have been asked not to venture out to sea and reports said it was raining heavily in Orissa and Andhra Pradesh. 'Fighting nature'
Authorities in Orissa said they were setting up shelters for people who would need to be evacuated in the coming days. Meteorologists say that the storm is not only intense but covers a wide area
Fishermen have been asked not to venture out to sea.
Rain and winds are already being felt in Orissa, where authorities said they were setting up shelters for people who would need to be evacuated.
"We are fighting against nature. We are better prepared this time, we learnt a lot from 1999," Orissa's Disaster Management Minister Surya Narayan Patra told the NDTV news channel."We are fighting against nature. We are better prepared this time, we learnt a lot from 1999," Orissa's Disaster Management Minister Surya Narayan Patra told the NDTV news channel.
Correspondents say India's eastern coast and Bangladesh are routinely hit by cyclonic storms between April and November which cause deaths and widespread damage to property. Reports said that there had been panic buying in the state capital, Bhubaneswar, with shelves being emptied of food.
In December 2011, cyclone Thane hit the southern state of Tamil Nadu, killing dozens of people. "I'm feeling scared and tense. My son is expected to arrive Sunday. Now I think he won't make it," housewife Manjushree Das told the Agence France-Presse (AFP) news agency.
The evacuation of about 64,000 people from low-lying areas of vulnerable districts in Andhra Pradesh has also begun, AFP reports.
India's eastern coast and Bangladesh are routinely hit by cyclonic storms between April and November which cause deaths and widespread damage to property.
In December 2011, Cyclone Thane hit the southern state of Tamil Nadu, killing dozens of people.