Cyclone Phailin: over half a million Indians already have abandoned their homes

With the cyclone Phailin threatening the East coast of India, the authorities decided to evacuate high-risk zones and shift more than half a million people.

In the State of Orissa, 450,000 people had to leave their homes; 100,000 did the same in the neighboring state of Andhra Pradesh, also in the Bay of Bengal, where the coastal hotels were also evacuated.

Hundreds of tourists are now at airports, where flights were canceled.

The inhabitants of the region are temporarily housed in buildings provided by the regional government or in mosques and temples. But the conditions aren't the best, as reflected in the words of one resident: "there isn't enough room in shelters and it's hard to find accommodation. We did not take a decent meal since last night. And the bathrooms don't work. "

Two people have lost their lives due to fallen trees and the collapse of houses.

Between April and November, India and neighboring Bangladesh are regularly hit by cyclones that develop in the Bay of Bengal.

Cyclone Phailin, big as France, according to satellite images, is expected to be the strongest of the last 14 years, with winds that have already surpassed the 300 km/h and must achieve in full the region at the end of the day â€" early in the morning in Europe.

In 1999, a similar cyclone flooded more than eight thousand dead. This time, the authorities say they're better prepared, thanks to more accurate forecasts and increased anticipation. This is the most ever evacuation plan prepared in India.

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