News

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

IAF on Phailin relief and rescue operations in Odisha

Bhubaneswar, 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. Air Force Official Y K Yadav said that within 2hrs wind speeds will reduce and there choppers will be mobilized.

Oct 13, 2013

Phailin will weaken gradually and not immediately as it is a severe cyclone: MeT

Bhubaneswar, 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. Director of MeT Department in Odisha Sharad Sahu said that gradually the Cyclone is losing its intensity but it is still classified as a severe cyclone.

Oct 13, 2013

Entire Srikakulam district is in full control of cyclone, says Disaster Management Commissioner

Srikakulam/Hyderabad, Oct 13 (ANI): The much dreaded and expected severe cyclone Phailin struck Srikakulam region in Andhra Pradesh. Disaster Management Commissioner of Andhra Pradesh state, T Radha said this at Hyderabad. Rains and winds lashed India's east coast, forcing nearly five hundred thousand people to flee to storm shelters as one of the country's largest cyclones closed in, threatening to cut a wide swath of devastation through farmland and fishing hamlets. Citing the weather department's warning of extensive damage to mud houses, he said that major disruption of power and communication lines may be caused. Nonetheless, all preventive measures have been initiated.

Oct 13, 2013

Baton of Commonwealth Games to leave India for Bangladesh

New Delhi, Oct 13 (ANI): The regal baton of Queen Elizabeth-II for the 2014 Commonwealth Games was given a befitting ceremonial send-off in New Delhi prior to its departure from India for Bangladesh as the next destination in course of its global tour. To mark this event, the British High Commissioner to India Sir James Bevan hosted a colourful event in New Delhi. Speaking on the occasion, he said it was a memorable occasion. Bevan while addressing an exclusive event in New Delhi said that the regal baton was to leave the country on Monday. Prior to this, on Friday (October 11), the Queen Elizabeth II's baton had reached New Delhi after it was flagged off at a grand ceremony held at the Buckingham Palace earlier this week. As a part of ceremonial tradition the Baton started its worldwide tour from India, since New Delhi hosted the last Commonwealth Games held in 2010. The 2014 Commonwealth Games would be held at Glasgow, in Scotland from July 23 to August 3 next year.

Oct 13, 2013