At least 6 killed by severe cyclone "Hudhud" in E. India

At least 6 killed by severe cyclone "Hudhud" in E. India NEW DELHI, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- At least six people were killed Sunday when severe cyclone "Hudhud" hit the east coast of India with winds of almost 200 kmph, said officials.

The strong wind pulled down electricity poles, shut road and railway transport, and forced tens of thousands to take refuge in government camps in the state of Andhra Pradesh and Orissa.

Three persons were killed in rain-related mishaps in Andhra Pradesh, two of them by falling trees. "Two died after trees fell on them and one in collapse of compound wall," Andhra Pradesh chief secretary I.V.R. Krishna Rao told the media.

Meawhile, two people were killed in Kendrapara and one in Puri in Orissa, said the state's special relief commissioner P.K. Mohapatra.

The cyclone made its landfall north of Visakhapatnam earlier Sunday, bringing wild rains and wind.

The local authorities and residents are fighting to control the damages from the storm to the minimum.

The India Meteorological Department said even after landfall," Hudhud" would maintain the intensity of very severe cyclonic storm for six hours and gradually weaken into a cyclonic storm.

The Indian navy and air force has kept warships and aircraft on standby in storm-hit areas, while relief teams have been sent to the spots to help people.

Over 400,000 have been evacuated to safe places by the government.

Cyclone "Hudhud" is named after an Israeli bird.