A severe cyclone whacked the east coast of India Saturday evening, forcing some 800,000 people to evacuate their homes. At least five people have been reported dead already. Cyclone Phailin is expected to surge to at least 10 feet and cause “extensive damage” to coastal mud houses. People were asked to leave mud houses and fishermen were warned to stay out of the sea. The last time a deadly cyclone hit the same area was in 1999, and more than 10,000 people were killed, but Indian officials say they are more prepared now.
