Cyclone Phailin takes aim at India coast
- 11 years ago
Cyclone Phailin may not have made landfall yet, but the storm is already drenching India.
Cities as far inland as New Delhi are experiencing heavy rains.
Officials are predicting the storm will make landfall along a 250-mile, or 400-kilometer, stretch on the coast.
Satellite images showed the storm barreling through the Bay of Bengal and officials say Phailin is growing stronger.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) VICE CHAIRMAN OF NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (NDMA), SHASHIDHAR REDDY, SAYING:
"It (the cyclone Phailin) has been now increased to about 210 to 220 kilometres of sustained wind velocity and gusting up to 235 kilometres, so it is bordering on what could be called as super cyclone."
Officials have already moved some 260,000 people to safer grounds and more are expected to be evacuated.
Earlier, locals in the state of Odisha were stocking up on provisions.
Scientists say that state is expected to be among those hit hardest.
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Cities as far inland as New Delhi are experiencing heavy rains.
Officials are predicting the storm will make landfall along a 250-mile, or 400-kilometer, stretch on the coast.
Satellite images showed the storm barreling through the Bay of Bengal and officials say Phailin is growing stronger.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) VICE CHAIRMAN OF NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (NDMA), SHASHIDHAR REDDY, SAYING:
"It (the cyclone Phailin) has been now increased to about 210 to 220 kilometres of sustained wind velocity and gusting up to 235 kilometres, so it is bordering on what could be called as super cyclone."
Officials have already moved some 260,000 people to safer grounds and more are expected to be evacuated.
Earlier, locals in the state of Odisha were stocking up on provisions.
Scientists say that state is expected to be among those hit hardest.
(