India: Cyclonic Storm "Thane" Claims 15 Lives

CHENNAI, India (NNN-UNI) -- ''Thane'', the very severe cyclonic storm which had been threatening to hit for the past three days, crossed the coast between Cuddalore and Puducherry this morning, claiming 15 lives, leaving behind a trail of havoc and devastation.

As predicted by the weather office, Thane crossed the coast between 0630 hrs and 0730 hrs, causing devastation in the coastal district of Cuddalore and union territory of Puducherry, according to reports received here.

As it hit the coast, with gusty winds with a speed of 120 km per hour and heavy rains, 12 people were killed, mainly due to wall collapses in Cuddalore, which bore the brunt of the fury.

Two deaths were reported from Villuppuram and one from Tiruvallur districts.

The gale winds accompanied by heavy rains uprooted more than 1,000 trees and threw normal life out of gear in the district, which was one of the worst hit in the 2004 Tsunami.

The high tidal waves inundated a number of coastal hamlets, along the 57 km long coastline. Though the district administration advised people to move out to safer places, many stayed back at their houses and got marooned.

District Collector P Amuthavalli told UNI over phone that 12 people have died in a wall collapse and other isolated incidents.

''The extent of damages in the district is being assessed and priority has been accorded to restoring power supply and other infrastructural facilities,'' she said. -- NNN-UNI