51ºC – Hottest Day Ever in India

Life-threatening heat breaks temperature record in India 

City of Phalodi in Rajasthan state has broken the country’s temperature record after registering 51°C (123.8°F), the highest in India since records began, said the weather office.

The new record surpasses the previous record for the hottest temperature set at 50.6°C in 1956.

Much of northern India has been plagued by a lingering heatwave with temperatures exceeding 40°C for several weeks, while dozens, more likely hundreds, of people have died from extreme heat in the southern states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

The record [contested] for the highest air temperature in the world, 56.7°C (134°F), was  set on July 10, 1913 in Death Valley, California.

 

Deadly Heatwave Persists in India

Heatwave in southern India has killed scores of people

Temperatures in southern Indian states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have soared to 113 degrees (45°C) this week, killing scores of people, according to reports.

“While 66 people died in Telangana, 45 lost their lives in Andhra Pradesh due to heatstroke,” said an official. “Nearly half of the deaths reported in Telengana were from the worst drought hit Mahabubnagar and Medak districts [as of Saturday.]”

“On Wednesday, the maximum temperature of 44 degrees Celsius was registered at Anantapur, Jangamaheswarapuram, Tirupati and Kurnool followed by 42 degrees Celsius at Nandigama, 41 degrees at Nellore, 40 degrees at Vijayawada and 39 degrees Celsius at Ongole and Machilipatnam. Visakhapatnam Airport registered a maximum temperature of 37 degrees Celsius.”

In 2015, heatwave killed thousands of people in southern India.

Hundreds Dead, Thousands Displaced in South India amid Weeks of Extreme Rain

‘Endless’ rain in south India kills hundreds, destroys homes and leaves tens of thousands displaced

Weeks of extreme winter monsoon rain, described as the heaviest in living memory, have caused much devastation across south India, leaving tens of thousands of people displaced.

“In November, the heaviest rain in decades, aggravated by Tropical Cyclone ROVAN, brought widespread flooding across the south Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh causing more than 200 deaths and affecting 1.8 million people, said a report.

See also

• Extreme Rain Shuts Down Indian City (Round 2)

 

Road-melting Heat Kills at least 800 across India

Death toll mounts in India’s near 50-degree heat

An intense heatwave has killed at least 806 people across India melting roads in the capital New Delhi as temperatures approach 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees).

Official death toll is as follows (the real toll may be much higher).
In the worst-hit state of Andhra Pradesh, in the south, 551 people have died over the past week with temperatures exceeding 47ºC on Monday.

In the bordering state of Telangana, at least 231 people have died, with temperatures reported in excess of 48ºC over the weekend.

The heatwave has also killed 11 people in the western state of Orissa, and 13 others in the eastern state of West Bengal.

Meantime, India’s Meteorological Department has issued a “Red Box” warning for several states on Tuesday and Wednesday, forecasting maximum temperatures above 45ºC.

Maximum temperature in the capital reached a high of 45.5ºC on Monday, some five degrees above the seasonal average.

National High and Low Temperature (for the contiguous U.S.)
NWS Weather Prediction Center, College Park, MD
Issued 8 am EDT Tuesday, May 26, 2015

High Temperature for Monday, May 25, 2015

• 39ºC  (102 degrees) at Death Valley, CA

Low Temperature for Tuesday, May 26, 2015

• -1ºC (31 degrees) at Grants-Milan, NM

Deadly Heatwave Kills Hundreds in India

Temperatures approach 50ºC (122ºF) in parts of India

An intense heatwave has reportedly killed at least 500 people in India, with temperatures approaching 50ºC in some areas.

Most of the deaths have occurred in the southern states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, said local media, with a dozen fatalities reported in the eastern state of West Bengal.

• Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh recorded 48ºC.
• Delhi, the Indian Capital, recorded 44ºC.
• Most of the recorded fatalities have occurred as a result of extreme dehydration and heatstroke.

Global Disasters/ Significant Events – October 12, 2014

MAJOR CATASTROPHES
EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC HAZARDS
VERY SEVERE CYCLONIC STORM
EXTREME RAIN EVENTS
DEADLY FLOODS
SCENARIOS  444, 111, 080, 078, 071, 066, 047, 027, 025, 024, 023, 022, 09, 05, 02
.

Cyclone HUDHUD Batters India’s East Coast

Cyclone HUDHUD is hammering eastern Indian coast, causing widespread damage and prompting the evacuation of about 400,000 people.

The “Very Severe Cyclonic Storm,” packing winds of more than 200km/h, has killed at least14 people in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Orissa, uprooting thousands of trees, knocking down power lines and destroying or damaging thousands of hectares of crops.

The cyclone could severely affect more than 10 million people along its path.

In its latest bulletin issued at 17:00 IST, INDIA METEOROLOGICAL DEPARTMENT (IMD)  said:

The Very Severe Cyclonic Storm ‘HUDHUD’ over westcentral Bay of Bengal moved west- northwestwards, crossed Andhra Pradesh coast over Visakhapatnam between 1200 and 1300 hrs ISTand lay centered at1430 hours IST of 12th October 2014 near latitude 17.8ºN and longitude 83.0ºE, about 30 km west-northwest of Visakhapatnam. It would move northwestwards and weaken gradually.

HUDHUD is forecast to dump up to 245mm of rain on some areas, said IMD, warning that storm surge of about 1 meter above astronomical tide would inundate low lying areas of Visakhapatnam, Vijayanagaram and Srikakulam districts of north coastal Andhra Pradesh by 20:00 IST.

 

Mass Evacuations Ordered as Cyclonic Storm LEHAR Approaches India

UPDATE @ 13:00UTC – LEHAR has weakened to a tropical depression with winds of about 50km/h, bringing moderate rains as it made landfall near the city of Machilipatnam, officials said. NO significant damage expected.

Thousands in low-lying coastal areas evacuated as Cyclone LEHAR raced toward east India

LEHAR [“wave” in Hindi,] which was downgraded from its earlier classification as a “very severe” cyclone to cyclonic storm, was packing sustained winds of about 75km/h, gusting to about 95km/h, as of 02:30UTC on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

“We remain geared to evacuate around 250,000 people in seven districts as per our earlier plans,” said the  vice chairman of India’s disaster management agency on Wednesday. “The evacuation will begin later tonight or even early tomorrow morning in some places based on local conditions, including the beginning of rainfall.”

Cyclonic Storm LEHAR – Water Vapor [FIRE-EARTH Enhancement] Satellite image – recorded at 01:30UTC on November 28, 2013. Original Image Source: CIMSS/SSEC/WISC.

Earlier Image recorded at 05:30UTC on November 27, 2013.

LEHAR – Water Vapor [FIRE-EARTH Enhancement] Satellite image – recorded at 05:30UTC on November 27, 2013. Original Image Source: CIMSS/SSEC/WISC.

LEHAR, the third significant storm to hit east India since October, is expected to cause more damage than Cyclone HELEN.

Cyclone HELEN struck the Andhra Pradesh coast last Friday, forcing thousands of evacuations, killing at least six people and causing significant  damage to crops.

In October, Cyclone PHAILIN destroyed or damaged more than 500,000 mud houses, killing dozens of people, ruining 1.3 million hectares of crops and leaving more than 12 million homeless.

IMD Bulletin No.: BOB07/2013/34 [Dated: 28-11-2013 @ 5;00 IST]

The cyclonic storm ‘LEHAR’ over westcentral Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestward with a speed of 15kmph during past six hrs and lay centred at 02:30 hours IST of today, the 28th November 2013 over the westcentral Bay of Bengal near latitude 15.0ºN and longitude 83.5ºE, about 280 km east-southeast of Machillipatnam and 250 km south-southeast of Kakinada. It would move west-northwestwards, weaken further and cross Andhra Pradesh coast near Machillipatnam as a deep depression around today, the 28th November afternoon.

This post will be updated throughout the day …

 Related Links

• LEHAR Closing in on Indian Coast November 27, 2013
• Cyclonic Storm LEHAR Strikes Andaman Islands November 25, 2013
• Tropical Cyclone HELEN Striking East India Coast November 21, 2013
• FEWW New Hurricane Scale
• Satellite Imagery

LEHAR Closing in on Indian Coast

LEHAR Intensifies to a Strong Cat. 1  Storm Force

Cyclone LEHAR was packing sustained winds of about 140km/h, gusting to 170km/h, as of 06:00UTC, November 27, 2013.

LEHAR was located about 910km ESE (114 degrees) of Hyderabad, India tracking WNW (295 degrees) at about 20km/h, as of as of 06:00UTC, November 27, 2013. [Estimate is based on FIRE-EARTH Models, with data supplied from various satellites.]

LEHAR – Water Vapor [FIRE-EARTH Enhancement] Satellite image – recorded at 05:30UTC on November 27, 2013. Original Image Source: CIMSS/SSEC/WISC.

The maximum significant wave height generated by the storm is currently about 9 meters.

The storm could intensify marginally before making landfall. The storm surge, rainfall and winds associated with LEHAR could cause significant damage, especially in low lying areas.

LEHAR has been designated as a “very severe cyclonic storm (VSCS)” by India’s Meteorological Department (IMD), and is forecast to make landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast near Machillipatnam about 12:00pm on Thursday, November 28, 2013.

LEHAR’s Projected Path according to IDM.

Cyclones PHAILIN and HELEN

In October, Cyclone PHAILIN destroyed or damaged more than 500,000 mud houses, killing dozens of people and ruining 1.3 million hectares of crops.

Cyclone HELEN struck the Andhra Pradesh coast last Friday, forcing thousands of  evacuations, killing six people and  causing significant  damage to crops.

LEHAR would be considerably stronger than HELEN on landfall.

This post will be updated throughout the day …

 Related Links

• Cyclonic Storm LEHAR Strikes Andaman Islands November 25, 2013
• Tropical Cyclone HELEN Striking East India Coast November 21, 2013
• FEWW New Hurricane Scale
• Satellite Imagery

Cyclonic Storm LEHAR Strikes Andaman Islands

LEHAR strikes Andaman Islands with winds of about 110kmph gusting to 140kmph

The cyclone is expected to dump more than 25cm of rain over Andaman and Nicobar Islands en route to Andhra Pradesh coast, east India.

LEHAR is forecast to strike Andhra Pradesh state, India’s east-central coastline on the Bay of Bengal, near 18.3N, 84.1E on November 28.

Cyclonic Storm LEHAR. VI/INFRARED [FIRE-EARTH Enhancement] satellite image recorded at 00:30UTC on November 25, 2013. Original image sourced from: CIMSS/SSEC/WISC.

Cyclonic Storm LEHAR. VI/INFRARED [FIRE-EARTH Enhancement] satellite image recorded at 11:30UTC on November 25, 2013. Original image sourced from: CIMSS/SSEC/WISC.

 LEHAR V. PHAILIN

Super Cyclonic Storm PHAILIN. VIS/IR Satellite Image recorded at 01:30UTC on October 11, 2013. Source: CIMSS/SSEC/WISC. FIRE-EARTH Enhancement.

LEHAR Projected Path Superimposed on SST Schematic in Bay of Bengal. Timed at 11:30UTC on November 25, 2013. CIMSS/SSEC/WISC.

On Friday, November 22, Cyclone HELEN struck coastal  Andhra Prades, killing at least 6 people, destroying or damaging about 170,000 hectares of crops, and forcingthe authorities to evacuate 25,000 people.

In October, Cyclone PHAILIN destroyed or damaged more than 500,000 mud houses, killing dozens of people and ruining 1.3 million hectares of crops.

Point of No Return

In 2004¹,  our team forecast an 80-90 percent increase in the total power dissipated annually by tropical cyclones  in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans by 2015.

Storms will continue to get stronger (develop greater average intensities) and survive at high intensity for longer (take more time to dissipate peak energy) resulting in substantial increases in storm-related losses in the near future.

[1. First draft posted by MSRB on Internet on February 26, 2005]

This post will be updated throughout the day …

2,000 Villages Washed Away in Odisha, India

Extreme Rain Events trigger new round of flooding in east India

Five days of extreme monsoon rains have unleashed severe flooding in eastern India’s states of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, washing away more than 2,000 villages in the cyclone-ravaged Odisha alone.

Flood situation in Odisha continues to remain critical with more than 2,000 villages washed away in that state alone. Source: Times of India.

Floodwaters have inundated about two million hectares ( 5 million acres) of crops across the region, affecting more than a million people, with at least 250,000 displaced. The death toll has climbed to  42 in Andhra Pradesh, and 28 in Odisha, with about a dozen people reported missing.

About 85,000 people in the district of Ganjam alone have been rescued so far, with 200,000 others still cut off.

The floods have caused significant damage to public infrastructure across 30 districts, destroying or damaging  thousands of kilometers of roads and  railroad tracks, disrupting public transport and causing massive damage to agriculture fields in several parts of the two states.

Flood situation continues to remain critical across the the region.

Related Links

• Death Toll in East India Floods Continues to Rise October 25, 2013

Death Toll in East India Floods Continues to Rise

Dozens killed amid flash flooding in eastern India

Severe flooding in eastern India has killed at least 64 people in the states of Orissa and Andhra Pradesh.  Extreme northeast monsoon rains combined with a low pressure area over the Bay of Bengal and  pounded the two states for five consecutive days, said officials.

Floods have affected more than 10 million people in eastern India, forcing authorities to evacuate about 200,000 people in Orissa and Andhra Pradesh.

Hundreds of villages and thousands of tons of crops have also been destroyed or damaged by floodwaters. Thousands of people have lost their homes, and Hundreds of thousands of others are currently cut off by floodwaters.

“The situation is serious. We are asking people to stay on rooftops. We will rescue them,” said a senior official.

Meantime, rain is forecast to continue on Saturday, said local Meteorologists.

Related Links

• PHAILIN: A Perfect Super Cyclone October 12, 2013
• Millions Flee Monster Cyclone PHAILIN October 11, 2013
• PHAILIN Becomes a Super Cyclonic Storm October 11, 2013
• Massive Cyclone Drifting Towards E India October 10, 2013
• FEWW New Hurricane Scale
• Satellite Imagery
• FEWW New Hurricane Scale
• Satellite Imagery

Cyclone PHAILIN Carves a Path of Destruction

Coastal Towns Deserted as Deadly PHAILIN Rips into eastern India

Cyclone PHAILIN made landfall as a Cat 4A typhoon with winds of about 220km/h near Gopalpur, Odisha state, at about 15:45UTC, as initially forecast by FIRE-EARTH.

The deadly cyclone had claimed at least a dozen lives, leveling homes, all be it mud huts, uprooting trees and utility posts, and leaving hundreds of towns and villages deserted.

An estimated 600,000 to more than 3 million people were either evacuated, some forcefully because they feared losing belongings, or fled their homes to higher grounds.

More than 12 million people were in the deadly cyclone’s path, which was expected to generate storm surges of at least 3.5 meters.

The small town of Gopalpur, Odisha [formerly Orissa,] has an average elevation of less than 1 meter.

Unsurprisingly, storm surges have pushed water ore than 500 meters inland in Gopalpur and the surrounding low-lying areas, according to local reports.

A BBC reporter, Andrew North, has described the damage as “a scene of apocalyptic devastation” in the city of Brahmapur, near where the cyclone made landfall.

A storm surge of more than 3m high has inundated areas of Ganjam, Khurda, Puri and Jagatsinghpur districts of Orissa and the Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, reported the Times of India.

PHAILIN will dump at least 25cm on Odisha [Orissa] and the northern parts of Andhra Pradesh through Monday, forecasters said.

The massive amounts of rain can lead to widespread flooding throughout the region.

“We will assess after the cyclone eases … even now the cyclone is on,” said Odisha’s chief secretary. “There has been pretty severe devastation in Brahmapur town.”

Typhoons NARI and WIPHA

Meantime, the outer bands of Typhoon NARI crossed central Vietnam, and WIPHA, this year’s 26th typhoon, continued to intensify over northwest Pacific.

(1-3) Typhoons PHAILIN, NARI and WIPHA at 03:00UTC on October 13, 2013. Source MTSAT-2 via Digital-Typhoon. Enhanced by FIRE-EARTH.

more details to follow….

Related Links

• PHAILIN: A Perfect Super Cyclone October 12, 2013
• Millions Flee Monster Cyclone PHAILIN October 11, 2013
• PHAILIN Becomes a Super Cyclonic Storm October 11, 2013
• Massive Cyclone Drifting Towards E India October 10, 2013
• FEWW New Hurricane Scale
• Satellite Imagery
• FEWW New Hurricane Scale
• Satellite Imagery

PHAILIN: A Perfect Super Cyclone

Super Cyclone PHAILIN Packs Even More Power

The perfectly symmetrical textbook Super Cyclonic Storm PHAILIN has further intensified, packing winds of about 270km per hour with wind gusts reaching 330km per hour.

FIRE-EARTH forecasts the cyclone could slightly intensify to a peak of about 275km/hr over the next 6 hours due to favorable sea surface temperatures and atmospheric conditions.

Super Cyclonic Storm PHAILIN has a well-defined 30km-wide eye. VIS/IR Satellite Image recorded at 00:30UTC on October 12, 2013. Source: CIMSS/SSEC/WISC. FIRE-EARTH Enhancement.

Super Cyclonic Storm PHAILIN

• Time: 03:00UTC on October 12, 2013
• Movement: NW – 305 degrees @ 13km/hr
• Position: Near 17.7ºN, 86.7ºE
• Location: About 585km SSW of Kolkata (202 degrees), India
• Max Sustained Winds: 270km/hr  [Super Cyclonic Storm]
• Max Wind Gusts: 330km/hr
• Significant Wave Height: ~ 10m
• Estimated Landfall Location and Time: Southwest of Brahmapur [REVISED] at about 18:00UTC on October 12, 2013. [JTWC estimate: Northeast of Visakhapatnam, Near 19.17ºN, 84.82E]
• Source: FIRE-EARTH and others

PHAILIN is a “28-hr” Super Storm!

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a ‘Red Message’ warning for North Andhra Pradesh and Odisha Coast concerning the impact of the “very severe cyclonic storm PHAILIN.”

Next update after landing!

The 1999 Odisha Cyclone [aka, Cyclone 05B, and Paradwip]

The 1999 Odisha cyclone was the deadliest tropical cyclone to hit India since 1971. The Category Five super storm made landfall just weeks after a category 4 storm had hit the same region.

The deadly cyclone hit India on October 29, 1999 with sustained winds of about 250km/hr, killing an estimated 15,000 people and carving a path of destruction.

Related Links

• Millions Flee Monster Cyclone PHAILIN October 11, 2013
• PHAILIN Becomes a Super Cyclonic Storm October 11, 2013
• Massive Cyclone Drifting Towards E India October 10, 2013
• FEWW New Hurricane Scale
• Satellite Imagery

Millions Flee Monster Cyclone PHAILIN

A million evacuated, millions more flee their homes as “terminator cyclone” approaches India

Massive waves have begun pounding eastern India’s coastline more than a day before Super Cyclone PHAILIN is forecast to hit India.

The monster cyclone, which measured about 1,600km in diameter, filling the entire Bay of Bengal several hours ago, is expected to cause sever damage to homes, crops, roads, bridges and other public infrastructure, as well as major disruption to power and water supplies and rail services.

• Indian authorities have issued a cyclone high alert for nine coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh and All 14 coastal districts in Odisha have been put on high alert, five of them – Ganjam, Gajapati, Khurda, Puri, Jagatsinghpur – expected to be worst hit.

• Mass evacuations are underway.

• Andhra Pradesh government has put the navy, army and air force on standby for emergency and relief operations.

Super Cyclonic Storm PHAILIN. IR Satellite Image recorded at 11:30UTC on October 11, 2013. Source: CIMSS/SSEC/WISC.

Super Cyclonic Storm PHAILIN

• Time: 13:00UTC on October 11, 2013
• Movement: NW – 305 degrees @ 7km/hr
• Position: Near 16.4ºN, 87.7ºE
• Location: About 670km SSW (187 degrees)  of Kolkata, India
• Max Sustained Winds: 260km/hr  [Super Cyclonic Storm]
• Max Wind Gusts: 320km/hr
• Significant Wave Height: ~ 10m
• Estimated Landfall Time and  Location: about 16:00UTC on October 12, 2013. … Being revised … [JTWC estimate: Near 19.1ºN, 84.79E ]
• Source: FIRE-EARTH, JTWC and others

On October 10, 2013 FIRE-EARTH forecast that PHAILIN could become a super storm.

Super Cyclonic Storm PHAILIN. VIS/IR Satellite Image recorded at 11:30UTC on October 11, 2013. Source: CIMSS/SSEC/WISC. FIRE-EARTH Enhancement.

India’s Largest Gas Field

“India’s largest gas field—the Reliance Industries-operated D6 natural gas block—lies in the Cauvery Basin further down the east coast. The company said it was not expecting to be hit.”

The 1999 Odisha Cyclone [aka, Cyclone 05B, and Paradwip]

The 1999 Odisha cyclone was the deadliest tropical cyclone to hit India since 1971. The Category Five super storm made landfall just weeks after a category 4 storm had hit the same region.

The deadly cyclone hit India on October 29, 1999 with sustained winds of about 250km/hr, killing an estimated 15,000 people and carving a path of destruction.

Related Links

• PHAILIN Becomes a Super Cyclonic Storm October 11, 2013
• Massive Cyclone Drifting Towards E India October 10, 2013
• FEWW New Hurricane Scale
• Satellite Imagery

PHAILIN Becomes a Super Cyclonic Storm

PHAILIN could be deadlier than 1999 ODISHA Cyclone

PHAILIN officially became a Super Cyclonic Storm short time ago, as forecast by FIRE-EARTH, packing sustained winds in excess of 250km per hour.

Super Cyclonic Storm PHAILIN. VIS/IR Satellite Image recorded at 01:30UTC on October 11, 2013. Source: CIMSS/SSEC/WISC. FIRE-EARTH Enhancement.

Super Cyclonic Storm PHAILIN

• Time: 04:00UTC on October 11, 2013
• Movement: WNW – 285 degrees @ 10km/hr
• Position: Near 16.1ºN, 88.4ºE
• Max Sustained Winds: 260km/hr  [Super Cyclonic Storm]
• Max Wind Gusts: 320km/hr
• Estimated Landfall Location and Time:  Near Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, India at about 11:00UTC on October 12, 2013. [NOTE: JTWC forecast landfall position: Near 18.95ºN 84.66ºE ]
• Source: FIRE-EARTH, JTWC and others

On October 10, 2013 FIRE-EARTH forecast that PHAILIN could become a super storm.

Super Cyclonic Storm PHAILIN – Projected Path as of 04:30UTC on October 11, 2013. Source: CIMSS/SSEC/WISC.

FIRE-EARTH Forecast

• PHAILIN is expected to strengthen further [sustained wind of 270-275km/hr, wind gusts of up to 330km/hr ] and would likely make landfall with super cyclonic force.

• The potentially deadly storm WILL impact East India’s entire coastline, as well as most of Bangladesh.

Other Details/ News

• Indian authorities have issued a cyclone high alert for nine coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh.

• Mass evacuations are underway.

• All 14 coastal districts in Odisha have been put on high alert, five of them – Ganjam, Gajapati, Khurda, Puri, Jagatsinghpur – expected to be worst hit.

• Andhra Pradesh government has put the navy, army and air force on standby for emergency and relief operations.

The 1999 Odisha Cyclone [aka, Cyclone 05B, and Paradwip]

The 1999 Odisha cyclone was the deadliest tropical cyclone to hit India since 1971. The Category Five super storm made landfall just weeks after a category 4 storm had hit the same region.

The deadly cyclone hit India on October 29, 1999 with sustained winds of about 250km/hr, killing an estimated 15,000 people and carving a path of destruction.

[NOTE: Google is not listing most of the images posted on FIRE-EARTH, or delay listing them for several days until they’ve lost their immediate relevance. Editor]

Related Links

• Massive Cyclone Drifting Towards E India October 10, 2013
• FEWW New Hurricane Scale
• Satellite Imagery

Cyclone Laila Forces 50,000 Indians to Evacuate

Indian Authorities Evacuate up to 50,000 as TC Laila makes landfall

Up to 50,000 people have been evacuated from the coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh as Cyclone Laila approaches southern India.

“Already the Andhra Pradesh coast is being battered by high tides and fierce winds. Even though the windfall is expected only in the evening, the waves and the winds have already caused extensive damage in coastal districts, where trees have been uprooted, cars smashed and roads damaged. Communication and power supplies have also been disrupted and air and train services have come to a halt,” a government official said.

At least 13 people have already been killed in the past 36 hours  as a result of  torrential rains, according to various News Bulletins.

Tropical Cyclone Laila. Source of image:  CIMSS Tropical Cyclones Group. Click image to enlarge.

TC Laila has maxi,u, sustained winds of about 92.5km/hr with gusts of up to 120km/hr as of 12:00UTC, 20 May 2010, according to JTWC, CIMSS and other sources.

So far the most damaging aspect of TC Laila has been its accompanying torrential rains that have pounded the  state Tamil Nadu.

.

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