Tropical Cyclone 04B - Oct 1999

A severe cyclone with wind speeds of 200 kilometres per hour struck parts of eastern India in the early hours of 18 October. As the storm hit the coastal State of Orissa, the winds crossed the Gopapur coast and accelerated twice in two hours to leave Ganjam district devastated. Although Orissa bore the brunt of the storm, the neighbouring states of Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal have also been affected following heavy rains sparked by the cyclone. Official sources report 85 deaths although this figure is likely to rise. 71 people died in Ganjam district alone. Other districts affected by the cyclone including Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Khurda, Gajapatri and Balasore. The cyclone caused immense destruction leaving over 1,000 people injured, and 35,000 homes damaged or destroyed. Some 700, 000 people have been left homeless and agricultural crops, including thousands of coconut trees, have been flattened. (IFRC, 22 Oct 1999)