Politics

BJP appreciates Odisha govts effort in battling Phailin

New Delhi, Oct 13 (ANI): As Severe cyclonic storm 'Phailin', which forced the evacuation of over eight lakh people, left a trail of destruction in coastal areas of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh and disrupted communication lines before weakening considerably on Monday, BJP national Vice-President Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi appreciated state government and every organization that came together for the preparedness in the wake of the natural calamity.

Oct 13, 2013

Congress appreciates Odisha govts effort in battling Phailin

New Delhi, Oct 13 (ANI): As Severe cyclonic storm 'Phailin', which forced the evacuation of over eight lakh people, left a trail of destruction in coastal areas of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh and disrupted communication lines before weakening considerably on Monday, Congress leader Rashid Alvi said that he is very proud of the meteorological department as they have performed extremely well.

Oct 13, 2013

Cyclone Phailin: Nearly 9 lakh people evacuated from Odisha

Bhubaneswar, Oct 13 (ANI): Even as powerful Cyclone Phailin has hammered Orissa overnight, bringing down power lines, ripping up trees and sending seawater surging inland, Odisha Special Relief Commissioner PK Mohapatra said that nearly nine lakh people have been evacuated in coastal Odisha. He also said that there are seven confirmed casualties in the state. He further said that there first priority would be to restoring the power lines, water supply and road communication.

Oct 13, 2013

Odisha Civil Supplies Minister gives update on death toll in the state

Bhubaneswar, Oct 13 (ANI): Even as a powerful cyclone has hammered Orissa overnight, bringing down power lines, ripping up trees and sending seawater surging inland, Odisha Civil Supplies Minister Pratap Keshari Deo said that so far 2 deaths in Bhubaneswar & 1 death in Jagatsinghpur have been reported due to tree falling.

Oct 13, 2013

Cyclone Phailin effect: Heavy rains lash Jharkhand

Ranchi, Oct 13 (ANI): Heavy rains on Sunday lashed Jharkhand following the peripheral effect of cyclone Phailin, now centred in neighbouring Odisha, and more rains have been forecast in the state till Monday. Heavy rains and strong winds also caused extensive damage in the state.

Oct 13, 2013

India working to restore power, communication after Phailin wreaks havoc

New Delhi, Oct 13 (ANI): Even as a powerful cyclone has hammered Orissa overnight, bringing down power lines, ripping up trees and sending seawater surging inland, almost half a million people have been evacuated from the path of Cyclone Phailin in Orissa and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. NDRF director general Krishna Chaudhary said that electricity& communication department is trying to restore system as fast as possible so that people stuck in collapse structure or other kind of problems can reached out.

Oct 13, 2013

Cyclone Phailin: Nine lakh people evacuated, loss of life minimized says Naveen Patnaik

Bhubaneswar, Oct 13 (ANI): Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday thanked all the government employees, rescue teams and the media for their effort in helping the state government fight Cyclone Phailin. Talking to mediapersons in Bhubaneswar, Patnaik said that though minimal casualties have been reported, but there has been severe loss of property across the coastal areas of Odisha. He assured the administration is doing its best to complete rehabilitation work as soon as possible.

Oct 13, 2013

Stampede at MP's Ratangarh Temple, at least five killed

Bhopal, Oct 13 (ANI): At least five people were killed and around 30 others injured in a stampede on Sunday morning at Ratangarh temple in Datia district of Madhya Pradesh. A large number of devotees had gathered at the temple for Durga Puja festivities. According to reports, the stampede apparently occurred after police resorted to a mild lathicharge to control the crowd of devotees moving towards the shrine. As the stampede occurred, people ran towards a bridge across Sindh river. Some of the devotees are feared to have fallen into the river and are untraceable so far.

Oct 13, 2013

Cyclone Phailin: Worst is over says IMD - Part - 1

New Delhi, Oct 13 (ANI): LS Rathore, DG of IMD on Sunday said that the worst of cyclone Phailin is completely over for Andhra Pradesh but Odisha is still likely to get affected by ‘severe cyclone’ today. Talking to mediapersons in New Delhi, he said that the ‘severe cyclonic storm’ is currently situated 50 km south of Sambalpur and is moving in a north to north-west direction and the next 12 hours are crucial in terms of wind and wind speeds. He added that heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to continue in Odisha. Thereafter the cyclone will become a deep depression and cause rainfall over Chhattisgarh and gangetic West Bengal in another 24 hours. He also said that the Indian Meteorological Department forecast has been quite correct and all elements of the cyclone – intensity, track, rain storm surge have been predicted accurately.

Oct 13, 2013

Cyclone Phailin Advances towards Bihar, Jharkhand; Latest Updates on Odisha Rescue Operations

The severe tropical cyclone Phailin has reduced in intensity but continues to advance northwards from Odisha and towards Bihar and Jharkhand.

Oct 13, 2013

Cyclone Phailin: Worst is over says IMD - Part - 2

New Delhi, Oct 13 (ANI): LS Rathore, DG of IMD on Sunday said that the worst of cyclone Phailin is completely over for Andhra Pradesh but Odisha is still likely to get affected by ‘severe cyclone’ today. Talking to mediapersons in New Delhi, he said that the ‘severe cyclonic storm’ is currently situated 50 km south of Sambalpur and is moving in a north to north-west direction and the next 12 hours are crucial in terms of wind and wind speeds. He added that heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to continue in Odisha. Thereafter the cyclone will become a deep depression and cause rainfall over Chhattisgarh and gangetic West Bengal in another 24 hours. He also said that the Indian Meteorological Department forecast has been quite correct and all elements of the cyclone – intensity, track, rain storm surge have been predicted accurately.

Oct 13, 2013

Cyclone Phailin: Restoration of train services now main aim, says Railways

New Delhi, Oct 13 (ANI): Cyclone Phailin that hit coastal Odisha and Andhra Pradesh on Saturday evening, destroyed railway signals and high-tension electricity wires and uprooted tracks and railway platforms at various stations, bringing the rail services in the region to a halt. Talking to mediapersons in New Delhi, East Coast Railway spokesperson Anil Saxena said on Sunday that more than 100 trains have been cancelled in Bhadrak, Puri and Palasa sections while at least 25 other trains have been diverted. He said that now their main aim is to restore train services.

Oct 13, 2013

Cyclone Phailin: Southern Odisha most affected, flooding a concern: Jay Panda

New Delhi, Oct 12 (ANI): BJD leader Jay Panda on Sunday said that Southern Odisha particularly the Ganjam district has been hit the severely by Cyclone Phailin. Talking to mediapersons in New Delhi, he said that wind conditions are so strong that air relief operations have not yet commenced. However he said that ground relief operations have started in most parts of the state. He also said that damage has been minimized in the districts due to early coordination between the government and armed forces. He added that major parts of southern areas are still cut off. The crops have also been severely affected.

Oct 13, 2013

No reports of Cyclone Phailin casualties so far: NDMA

New Delhi, Oct 13 (ANI): Nearly eleven hours after hitting the coasts of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh with a wind speed of about 200 kilometers per hour, MeT department confirms that the intensity of cyclone Phailin has decreased but heavy rains will continue for the next 48 hours. Local media is reporting damage to property and to substantial flooding in coastal districts of Odisha and on National Highway Five. Several teams of the Indian Army, Air Force and Navy are on standby across the region to begin massive relief and rescue operations. NDMA Vice Chairman M Shashidhar Reddy said that there are no reports of Cyclone Phailin casualties so far.

Oct 13, 2013

Armed forces on standby for rescue, relief operations as Cyclone Phailin calms down

Odisha/ Andhra Pradesh, Oct 13 (ANI): Nearly eleven hours after hitting the coasts of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh with a wind speed of about 200 kilometers per hour, Cyclone Phailin is reported to have calmed down on Sunday morning. Local media is reporting damage to property and to substantial flooding in coastal districts of Odisha and on National Highway Five. Several teams of the Indian Army, Air Force and Navy are on standby across the region to begin massive relief and rescue operations. Most areas hit by Cyclone Phailin are without power, as the lines are down. A trail of destruction along the coastline has become visible. News channels are showing visuals of uprooted trees, overturned cars, and damaged buildings, but the extent of the damage is yet to be fully assessed.

Oct 13, 2013