Three people lost their lives in Odisha after being hit by trees uprooted by gusty winds and heavy rains that lashed the state hours ahead of the arrival of 'Phailin', a very severe cyclonic storm.
While preliminary reports confirmed deaths of two people at Khallikote and Buguda, both in Ganjam district where Phailin is projected to inflict maximum damage, a resident of Baramunda locality in Bhubaneswar lost her life while plucking flowers. The deceased in Bhubaneswar has been identified as Jayanti Rout (42).
The spell of incessant rain and winds has disrupted power supply and hit road traffic especially in the coastal districts of Ganjam, Gopalpur, Puri and Jagatsinghpur. Panic grows among the people as the Phailin is set to pound the coast of south Odisha between 6-8 pm.
