Delhi ( AsiaNews ) - The Indian
central government has ordered the evacuation of more than 400 thousand people
living on the Bay of Bengal , the area that will be hit by the cyclone Phailin
tonight. According
to meteorologists this is the worst storm to strike India since 1999, when a
super -cyclone hit Orissa , killing 10 thousand people .
State
officials say they are "much better prepared " , but in any case they
ordered the evacuation of areas in Phailin's path. Usually,
these storms cause damage in a series of chain events: trees fall, houses -
built without any safety parameter - collapse. Debris clog the drains creating
" urban rivers" , which increase floods and health risks as well as
the spread of epidemics.
According
to the Government Met Department winds of 220 kilometers per hour are expected:
the U.S. Weather Center of Hawaii talks about gusts of up to 270 kilometers . The
cyclone is set to hit the states of Orissa and Andhra Pradesh, and it is
unclear for how long its fury will last. The
army is on high alert in the two states and is preparing for emergency first
aid and recovery : the mud houses that are located on the coast of Gopalgur are
cause for the greatest concern.