Pics: Devastating aftereffects of Cyclone Phailin in Orissa, Andhra

Bhubaneswar, Oct 13: One of the deadliest 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 today.

Though seven deaths have been reported in Odisha, they took place as uprooted trees fell on locals before the cyclone made a landfall, Odisha Revenue and Disaster Minister S N Patro said in Bhubaneshwar.

There were no major casualties though Phailin was no less than a super cyclone as large-scale evacuation of people to storm shelters prevented a repeat of the 1999 super cyclone that claimed nearly 10,000 lives.

The cyclone left a trail of destruction with massive damage to property reported in Odisha. Thousands of trees and poles were uprooted in Bhubaneshwar, the Odisha Minister said. Several big buildings were shaken in Parampur town, above 20 kms from Gopalpur, when the cyclone hit the area, Parto said.

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) vice-chairman M Shashidhar Reddy said, "Wind speed in Gopalpur where the eye of the cyclone passed through has come down to 90-100 kmph at 8 am. We are still trying to assess the devastation caused by the disaster."

High tide waves in Andhra

People watch high tide waves as they stand at the Bay of Bengal coast in Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

Heavy rain in Orissa

A man holds an umbrella as he heads towards a cyclone shelter near Chatrapur in Ganjam in Odisha.

Fisherman's colony in Orissa

People gather at the fisherman's colony at Pedajalaripeta to catch a glimpse of the sea on Saturday in Visakhapatnam.

Cyclone effect: Heavy rain in Orissa

A policeman wades through a water logged street in Puri following heavy rains ahead of Phailin cyclone that is expected to the coastal areas of the Odisha state.

Cyclone Phailin: A scene from Orissa

People along with electricity workers trying to clear a 440 volt uprooted electricity pole due to Phailin cyclone in Bhubaneswar.

Cyclone effect: Passengers stranded in Odisha

Passengers of different trains stranded at Bhubaneswar railway station on Saturday as all trains are cancelled due to Phailin in Odisha Coast.

Cyclone Phailin effect in Orissa

People staying in slums and low line areas of Bhubaneswar were shifted to rescue camp in Bhubaneswar anticipating damage due to Phailin.

OneIndia News