DHA-GENEVA 93/0500

INDIA - CYCLONE
DHA-GENEVA INFORMATION REPORT NO.1
6 DECEMBER 1993

SITUATION

1. ON 4 DECEMBER 1993, A SEVERE CYCLONE HIT SOUTHERN INDIA CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE IN TAMIL NADU AND IN KARAIKAL REGION OF PONDICHERRY. ELECTRICAL AND TELECOMMUNICATION POLES AND HUNDREDS OF TREES UPROOTED, DISRUPTING ROAD AND RAIL TRAFFIC AND COMMUNICATION LINKS. TORRENTIAL RAINS CONTINUE TO LASH THE AFFECTED AREA.

2. AS OF 6 DECEMBER, AT LEAST 54 PEOPLE REPORTED DEAD AND 30,000 HOUSES DAMAGED. SOME 60,000 AFFECTED PEOPLE CAMPING IN PUBLIC SHELTERS.