Powerful cyclone in India lashes business capital of Mumbai; 100,000 evacuated

A powerful cyclone roared ashore near India’s financial capital of Mumbai on Wednesday, becoming the strongest storm to hit the city in decades.

The Cyclone Nisarga made landfall with sustained winds of 75 mph south of Mumbai Wednesday, bringing heavy rain and wind, according to India’s Meteorological Department.

Mumbai, with a population of more than 18 million, hadn’t been hit by a cyclone in more than a century, raising concerns about its readiness. There were no preexisting cyclone shelters in the city due the rarity of storms, said National Disaster Response Force spokesman Krishan Kumar.

“We moved people to other strong buildings where there is a supply of water,” he said.

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Satellite photos showed the storm developing an eye as it neared landfall.

 

As Cyclone Nisarga crossed the central state of Maharashtra, live TV coverage showed inky black clouds framing the Arabian Sea, and trees swaying wildly as rain pounded coastal towns and villages.

 

So far, no deaths or major damage have been reported as workers began clearing fallen trees and other debris along India’s western coastline.

About 100,000 people were evacuated from low-lying areas in Maharashtra and neighboring Gujarat, according to the Press Trust of India news agency.

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