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India's Cyclone Phailin leaves trail of destruction India's Cyclone Phailin leaves trail of destruction
(about 1 hour later)
Indian disaster teams have begun a relief operation after Cyclone Phailin crashed into eastern areas, forcing up to one million people to flee.Indian disaster teams have begun a relief operation after Cyclone Phailin crashed into eastern areas, forcing up to one million people to flee.
Officials are assessing the damage and providing food to hundreds of thousands who spent the night in shelters.Officials are assessing the damage and providing food to hundreds of thousands who spent the night in shelters.
The cyclone wrecked many coastal homes, uprooted trees and blocked roads in Andhra Pradesh and Orissa states.The cyclone wrecked many coastal homes, uprooted trees and blocked roads in Andhra Pradesh and Orissa states.
A disaster management authority official said 14 people had died, 13 of them in Orissa.A disaster management authority official said 14 people had died, 13 of them in Orissa.
"We have been able to [keep] the death toll to a bare minimum," Marri Shashidhar Reddy told reporters in Delhi."We have been able to [keep] the death toll to a bare minimum," Marri Shashidhar Reddy told reporters in Delhi.
In 1999 a cyclone killed more than 10,000 people in Orissa.In 1999 a cyclone killed more than 10,000 people in Orissa.
But the authorities said they were better prepared this time.But the authorities said they were better prepared this time.
The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder in Berhampur, Orissa, says they made a massive effort to get the message out to people, many of whom were reluctant to leave their homes.The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder in Berhampur, Orissa, says they made a massive effort to get the message out to people, many of whom were reluctant to leave their homes.
The massive storm made landfall on Saturday, packing winds of about 200km/h (125mph).The massive storm made landfall on Saturday, packing winds of about 200km/h (125mph).
It was weakening on Sunday as it made its way north-west.It was weakening on Sunday as it made its way north-west.
In Orissa's state capital, Bhubaneswar, crews were using axes and rope to clear fallen trees from roads.In Orissa's state capital, Bhubaneswar, crews were using axes and rope to clear fallen trees from roads.
"We've just started to assess the damage and coastal areas will have fared worse," said crew leader Upendra Malik."We've just started to assess the damage and coastal areas will have fared worse," said crew leader Upendra Malik.
The storm tore down power and communication lines and knocked out road and rail links, making an assessment difficult.The storm tore down power and communication lines and knocked out road and rail links, making an assessment difficult.
An estimated 5,000 sq km of mostly paddy crops have been destroyed, causing a loss of some $320m (£220m).An estimated 5,000 sq km of mostly paddy crops have been destroyed, causing a loss of some $320m (£220m).
The coast guard said it had rescued 18 fishermen who were stranded at sea, as well as 18 crew from a cargo ship carrying iron ore that reportedly sank during the storm.The coast guard said it had rescued 18 fishermen who were stranded at sea, as well as 18 crew from a cargo ship carrying iron ore that reportedly sank during the storm.
Several of the dead were killed by falling trees, but officials were confident that a massive loss of life had been avoided.Several of the dead were killed by falling trees, but officials were confident that a massive loss of life had been avoided.
"We were preparing for a super cyclone, but Phailin did not turn into a super cyclone," disaster official Tripti Parule told the AFP news agency."We were preparing for a super cyclone, but Phailin did not turn into a super cyclone," disaster official Tripti Parule told the AFP news agency.
He said the evacuation was the biggest in India's history for such an event.He said the evacuation was the biggest in India's history for such an event.
The Times of India reported that a storm surge more than 3m (9ft) high had flooded 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 flooded areas of Ganjam, Khurda, Puri and Jagatsinghpur districts of Orissa and the Srikakulam district of 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. India's National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) said 1,200 personnel had been deployed to Orissa and 500 to Andhra Pradesh.
"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 of rain is predicted for Orissa and the north coast of Andhra Pradesh throughout Sunday and Monday, forecasters said.Up to 25cm of rain is predicted for Orissa and the north coast of Andhra Pradesh throughout Sunday and Monday, forecasters said.
In the coastal town of Gopalpur, one of the worst-affected areas, hundreds of terrified residents spent the night huddled in shelters, schools and public buildings.In the coastal town of Gopalpur, one of the worst-affected areas, 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.
Shop 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.Shop 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.
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