Cyclonic storm Titli kills 2 in India's southern state

Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 18:32:58|Editor: Xiang Bo
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NEW DELHI, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- The very severe cyclonic storm Titli killed two people and injured one other Thursday while making landfall in India's southern state of Andhra Pradesh, officials said.

The causalities have been reported in coastal Srikakulam district of the state.

"Two people have been killed and one person was injured today in the cyclonic storm here at Srikakulam," a senior official posted at Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) told Xinhua.

"The storm made landfall near Palasa early this morning and the maximum wind speed recorded was 126 km per hour."

The cyclone has caused widespread damage in the state by uprooting scores of trees and electric poles as heavy rains followed by gusty wind lashed Srikakulam district.

"After the cyclone ends, we will soon make damage assessment," the official said.

The cyclone has disrupted vehicular movement as the State Road Transport Corporation suspended its bus services following the roadblocks at several places caused by uprooted trees.

A local government spokesman said Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu was monitoring the situation and a control room has been set up at adjacent Vizianagaram Collectorate for relief efforts in affected areas.

According to the officials, disaster response force personnel have been deployed in Srikakulam and neighbouring Vizianagaram districts to conduct rescue and relief operations.

No casualties were reported in the adjacent Odisha state. However officials said around 300, 000 people were evacuated in anticipation.

Titli, which means butterfly in Hindi, has been categorised as a very severe cyclonic storm.

Meanwhile, a statement issued by India's Ministry of Earth Sciences said Titli is likely to weaken by Thursday evening.

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