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Five die as storm crosses southern India coast

     Hyderabad/Bhubaneshwar: Heavy rains and powerful guts of wind severely affected the southeastern coast of the country in which five people lost their life and the cyclonic storm is expected to hit anytime between Nellore and Machilipatanam in Andhra Pradesh. The centre of the storm lies a few kilometers off Ongole in southwest Bay of Bengal. Authorities evacuated more than 18,000 people from the region. The storm, which made landfall around noon, has already left five people dead in the district of Nellore due to house collapses and drowning. "The entire coast is on alert and under full control and so far there is absolutely no problem. Evacuation has been going on, people have been alerted and the control room has been," said A.K.Diwan, Chief Secretary, Andhra Pradesh. He claimed that the evacuation work was in full swing and the situation was under control.The storm follows two weeks of heavy rains and floods, which have left more than 110 people dead in the southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Fishermen in Andhra Pradesh -- where nearly 40 people have died due to rains and floods this month -- and the neighbouring state of Orissa have been told not to go to sea.

      Meanwhile, people in Orissa, which was severely affected by super cyclone in 1999 are preparing for the eventuality this time also. "Everybody is panic stricken. We are all waiting for the cyclone. We have purchased many essential commodities. We can't forget the super cyclone. The wind and rains have created a fear. Since we are in the coastal area, we will be affected first," said Anupam Shah, a local. Met officials predict heavy rainfall in some parts of the state and have warned fishermen not to venture into the sea. "There is a possibility of rainfall over many places in Orissa and heavy rainfall is also likely to occur in some isolated places of Orissa. We have issued digitalized personal signal number one over Paradip and Gopalpur coast and fishermen are advised not to venture into sea," said S.C. Sahn, Director of the metrological department. In September, at least 50 people died after a Bay of Bengal storm hit the eastern coast of the country and Bangladesh.