14th October, 2013
As many as nine million people in India have been affected by cyclone Phalin which made landfall on the coast of south-eastern India on the weekend.
More than 873,000 people were evacuated from the states of Orissa and Andhra Pradesh ahead of the arrival of the category four storm. The death toll, according to reports, sits at 23.
World Vision Australia reports that as many as 200,000 homes were destroyed in one district alone while the Indian Army has reported that more than 14,500 villages have been affected, many of them by floods.
Anthea Spinks, World Vision Australia’s head of humanitarian and emergency affairs, says the last time a cyclone of this strength hit the same area in 1999, the death toll was 10,000 people.
"Early evacuations saved lives, but what we need to do now is to make sure the toll remains low by helping to ensure access to food, water, sanitation and shelter."
The organisation has already been handing out food and water to survivors and has more than 6,000 emergency kits to distribute.
World Vision has warned that one of the biggest risks in coming days will come from flooding and water-borne diseases.
To donate to World Vision’s Emergency Preparedness Fund, call 13 32 40 or see www.worldvision.com.au.
– DAVID ADAMS
