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Hundreds of thousands flee ahead of India cyclone
December 4, 1996
Web posted at: 11:45 a.m. EST (1645 GMT)HYDERABAD, India (CNN) -- As many as 200,000 people were racing a cyclone in southern India's coastal region Wednesday, evacuating the low-lying areas of the south Indian state Andhra Pradesh ahead of a storm that is expected to make landfall between 6 and 10 p.m. Wednesday.
At least two people were killed in the approaching storm's heavy wind and rain.
The cyclone is expected to hit Andhra Pradesh between the cities of Kakinada and Ongole, though meteorologists say the storm could take an unpredictable turn.
The cyclone has windspeeds of between 150 mph (240 kph) and 180 mph (288 kph) and is accompanied by a 10-foot (300-centimeter) tidal wave.
Authorities have commandeered trucks and public buses to evacuate people from nearly 500 villages to shelters farther west and were looking for fisherman who have not returned from sea despite warnings about the cyclone, said Hari Shanker Brahama of the Andhra Pradesh state relief commission.
Authorities already had blocked roads in the area and cut off electricity supplies so that uprooted electric poles would not cause accidents, officials said. India's army, navy and air force were on alert in case they needed to help with rescues or evacuations.
State authorities have declared a red alert in seven coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh.
The storm is being compared to a cyclone that hit Andhra Pradesh in November and was believed to have claimed 2,000 lives.
Official sources say 1,059 people died in the storm and 925 are missing. It damaged 650,000 houses and nearly 1.5 million acres (600,000 hectares) of fertile agricultural lands.
Related stories:
- Indian rescuers brave floodwaters to deliver aid, recover victims - November 8, 1996
- Cyclone kills at least 400 people in India - November 7, 1996
- About 375 killed as storm hits southeast India - November 7, 1996
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