ELECTION 99
US EDITION
COLUMNISTS
DIARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
YEH HAI INDIA!
ELECTIONS
ARCHIVES

Search Rediff

Storm weakens, but it's still raining heavily

The super cyclonic storm that hit Orissa on October 29 has weakened into a well-marked low-pressure area over coastal Orissa and north coastal Andhra Pradesh.

According to S R Kalsi, deputy director (cyclone warning) in the meteorological department in New Delhi, this remnant of the cyclone is still causing rains in coastal districts of Orissa, West Bengal and extreme north coastal Andhra Pradesh.

Squally winds with a speed of 45-50 km/ph are expected in coastal areas of Orissa during the next 24 hours, he said and advised fishermen to be cautious while venturing into the sea.

Explaining the reason for the eastern coast of the country facing cyclones more frequently than the western coast, he said most of the low-pressure areas are formed over western north pacific and while travelling across the vast areas over the Bay of Bengal, which is relatively warm, they gain strength.

The cyclone centre had warned Orissa of the super cyclone two days in advance, that is on October 27, he said.

Meanwhile, reports from Bhubaneswar said thousands of people are still marooned and thousands of villages submerged in ten to 15 feet of sea or flood waters.

The official death toll in the cyclone so far has been put at 50. A majority of deaths (39) have taken place in Cuttak.

All the three wings of the armed forces have been able to finally approach the worst-affected areas of Paradip, Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur.

Six MI8s helicopters, two Chetaks of the Indian Air Force and two more choppers of the navy have been pressed into service to air drop food packets and medicines.

Six power boats of the navy have also been inducted for rescue work in the worst affected areas of the port town of Paradip, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara.

The capital town of Bhubaneswar still remains cut off from others parts of the state as telecommunication and power links are yet to be restored.

Chief Minister Giridhar Gamang will conduct an aerial survey of Balasore and Bhradrak later in the afternoon. Congress president Sonia Gandhi is also slated to make an aerial survey today.

An army column each has been rushed the eight districts.

Two ships, one each from Visakhapatnam and Calcutta, are on their way carrying relief material.

ALSO SEE:
Centre to seek foreign aid for cyclone victims

Tell us what you think of this report