Attachments
The situation
Cyclone Phailin, categorized as "very severe" and classified as the second most powerful cyclone to ever strike the country, made landfall on the eastern coast of India at around 9pm (local time) on 12 October 2013 with winds reaching 200km/h, marginally less severe than expected. Cyclone Phailin will remain a very severe cyclone up to six hours after landfall with wind gusts up to 235 km/h and heavy rain fall. Considering the magnitude of the cyclone in relation to the level of vulnerability in rural areas, the scale of damage is forecast to be huge; its full impact is yet to be assessed.
Nearly 600,000 people in Odisha and Andhra Prahesh State in India have been evacuated by the government with active support from the local Indian Red Cross Society branches. Numerous relief camps have been set up in cyclone shelters, schools and public buildings, making this the largest evacuation in 23 years.
Over 500 cyclone shelters have been set up by the relevant authorities. To date, five cyclone-related deaths, due to fallen trees, have been reported in Odisha The latest reports from the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) Srikakulam district branch indicates that sea water has entered the villages of Vadapalem, Kotturu, Baruva, Edduvaripalem, Kotta, Kalingapatnam, Gabshiguda and Mogadalapadu, affecting some 2,300 people so far. Those affected have been relocated to relief camps organized by district officials with support from IRCS branch volunteers.
The power supply has been cut from Ichchapuram to Palasa. Water levels in the Vamsadhara and Nagavalli rivers are expected to rise above danger levels. In terms of transport, all air and rail travel to the affected areas has been suspended due to the cyclone, with numerous highways along the coastline affected as well.