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India hammered as Cyclone Phailin races inland | India hammered as Cyclone Phailin races inland |
(35 minutes later) | |
A powerful cyclone has hammered eastern India overnight, bringing down power lines, ripping up trees and sending seawater surging inland. | A powerful cyclone has hammered eastern India overnight, bringing down power lines, ripping up trees and sending seawater surging inland. |
Almost half a million people have been evacuated from the path of Cyclone Phailin in Orissa state and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. | Almost half a million people have been evacuated from the path of Cyclone Phailin in Orissa state and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. |
The massive storm made landfall on Saturday, packing winds of up to 200km/h (125mph). | The massive storm made landfall on Saturday, packing winds of up to 200km/h (125mph). |
In 1999 a cyclone killed more than 10,000 people in Orissa. | In 1999 a cyclone killed more than 10,000 people in Orissa. |
However, authorities say they were better prepared this time. | However, authorities say they were better prepared this time. |
By Saturday evening, five deaths were linked to the cyclone, four attributed to falling trees and one to a house collapse. | By Saturday evening, five deaths were linked to the cyclone, four attributed to falling trees and one to a house collapse. |
But at daybreak on Sunday there was an anxious wait to see the extent of the damage. | But at daybreak on Sunday there was an anxious wait to see the extent of the damage. |
Communications are down in many areas with road and rail links closed, making an assessment even more difficult. | Communications are down in many areas with road and rail links closed, making an assessment even more difficult. |
The Times of India reported that a storm surge more than 3m (9ft) high had inundated areas of Ganjam, Khurda, Puri and Jagatsinghpur districts of Orissa and the Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh. | The Times of India reported that a storm surge more than 3m (9ft) high had inundated areas of Ganjam, Khurda, Puri and Jagatsinghpur districts of Orissa and the Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh. |
In the Orissa state capital of Bhubaneshwar, government workers and volunteers were assembling hundreds of thousands of food packages for relief camps. | In the Orissa state capital of Bhubaneshwar, government workers and volunteers were assembling hundreds of thousands of food packages for relief camps. |
Bhubaneswar shop owner Susil Kumar Singh was one of only a few traders keeping his store open. | Bhubaneswar shop owner Susil Kumar Singh was one of only a few traders keeping his store open. |
"Everyone's in trouble so I've kept my shop open to help them," he told AFP news agency. | "Everyone's in trouble so I've kept my shop open to help them," he told AFP news agency. |
"Right now, there's no drinking water and trees are falling down all around." | "Right now, there's no drinking water and trees are falling down all around." |
Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik appealed for calm. | Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik appealed for calm. |
"I request everyone to not panic," he said. | "I request everyone to not panic," he said. |
"Please assist the government. Everyone from the villages to the state headquarters has been put on alert." | "Please assist the government. Everyone from the villages to the state headquarters has been put on alert." |
The Indian Army's National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) said 1,200 troops had been sent to Orissa and 500 to Andhra Pradesh. | The Indian Army's National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) said 1,200 troops had been sent to Orissa and 500 to Andhra Pradesh. |
"As soon as the fury of the cyclone abates our boys will start their work," NDRF director general Krishna Chaudhary told reporters. | "As soon as the fury of the cyclone abates our boys will start their work," NDRF director general Krishna Chaudhary told reporters. |
"The teams have medical first responders (for first aid) and heavy cutting equipment. In the case of cyclones there is a likelihood of collapsed buildings." | "The teams have medical first responders (for first aid) and heavy cutting equipment. In the case of cyclones there is a likelihood of collapsed buildings." |
Up to 25cm (10in) of rain is predicted for Orissa and the north coast of Andhra Pradesh throughout Sunday and Monday, forecasters said. | Up to 25cm (10in) of rain is predicted for Orissa and the north coast of Andhra Pradesh throughout Sunday and Monday, forecasters said. |
Flying glass | Flying glass |
In the coastal town of Gopalpur, hundreds of terrified residents spent the night huddled in shelters, schools and public buildings. | In the coastal town of Gopalpur, hundreds of terrified residents spent the night huddled in shelters, schools and public buildings. |
Witnesses reported seeing shards of glass and asbestos sheets flying through the air as the cyclone struck. | Witnesses reported seeing shards of glass and asbestos sheets flying through the air as the cyclone struck. |
On Saturday, BBC reporter Andrew North spoke of a scene of apocalyptic devastation in Brahmapur, just inland from where the cyclone reached the coast. | On Saturday, BBC reporter Andrew North spoke of a scene of apocalyptic devastation in Brahmapur, just inland from where the cyclone reached the coast. |
Store signs and other debris were being pitched high in the air by storm gusts and elaborate decorations for a major Hindu festival were strewn over the main road. | Store signs and other debris were being pitched high in the air by storm gusts and elaborate decorations for a major Hindu festival were strewn over the main road. |
Officials had earlier said that no-one would be allowed to stay in mud and thatched houses along the coast of Orissa and Andhra Pradesh states, but some residents said they wanted to stay put. | Officials had earlier said that no-one would be allowed to stay in mud and thatched houses along the coast of Orissa and Andhra Pradesh states, but some residents said they wanted to stay put. |
"Many people refused to move, had to be convinced, and at times the police had to forcefully move them to safe places," said Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde. | "Many people refused to move, had to be convinced, and at times the police had to forcefully move them to safe places," said Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde. |
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