India: Heavy rains lash coast

Heavy rains lashed the southern Indian coast and nine people were reported dead as a cyclonic storm touched the coastline today.

Authorities have evacuated 5,000 people from low-lying villages. The storm, packing winds up to 55mph, was triggered by a depression in the Bay of Bengal and crossed into the southern districts of coastal Andhra Pradesh state today, prompting its government to declare high alert in coastal areas.

Nine people were reported drowned, including seven in the Nellore district and two in the Chittoor district.

At least 5,000 people were moved to higher ground in the districts of Prakasham and Ongole.

The storm and the force of the flood water washed away parts of the crucial national highway from the southern metropolis of Madras to the eastern trading hub of Calcutta, piling up traffic for miles.

Trees were uprooted and utility poles twisted.