Cyclone Phalin has been sweeping over the Bay of Bengal and is quickly moving towards the rest of the East Coast. An evacuation for over 500,000 people has gone into effect in preparation for the storm, categorized as “very severe.”

Life for those on the coast came to an abrupt halt, with many mudhouse citizens and fishermen being forced to leave their homes until the cyclone passes.

Cities nearby have already started to feel the effects, the winds having reached over 100 km and many electricity and phone lines being disconnected.

When the actual cyclone hits, winds are predicted to reach up to 220 km/h (136mph) rivaling a super-cyclone from 1999 that killed more than 10,000 people. The meteorological department has stated that the areas being targeted are much better prepared this time around and the impact should not be nearly as devastating. 

The cyclone is expected to hit Orissa and Andhra Pradesh states on Saturday evening.

 

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