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Bloomberg
Cyclone Fani barrelled through the eastern parts of India, unleashing heavy rain and prompting authorities in the country and neighbouring Bangladesh to evacuate a total of more than 3.5 million people to shelters.
At least eight people were killed as the windstorm swamped towns and villages, the Press Trust of India reported, citing government officials it didn’t name. Dhaka-based US-Bangla Airlines suspended flights to Kolkata, as the Indian city’s airport remains shut due to the cyclone, according to spokesman Kamrul Islam.
The cyclone’s wind speeds reached 205 kilometers (127 miles) per hour, according to the India Meteorological Department.
“Areas around Puri are badly affected and restoration of telecommunication lines and power in the affected areas will be a priority,†said N.C. Marwah, a member of the National Disaster Management Authority. “According to the state governments, assessment of damage will be possible by tomorrow evening.†Puri is a coastal town famous for an ancient Hindu temple.
Fani weakened as it headed further interior into Bangladesh, the nation’s weather office said in a bulletin. Bangladesh remains on high alert and the government plans to evacuate as many as 2.5 million people from 19 coastal districts, Disaster Management Secretary Shah Kamal said at a media briefing in Dhaka.