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    December 30, 2011

11 Killed in Indian Cyclone

   VOA News
   People walk past fallen sign boards and other trash caused by heavy
   winds in Pondicherry, India, December, 30, 2011.
   Photo: AP
   People walk past fallen sign boards and other trash caused by heavy
   winds in Pondicherry, India, December, 30, 2011.

   A cyclone has brought heavy rains and gale-force winds to India's
   southeastern coast, killing at least 11 people.
   Cyclone Thane made landfall near the former French colonial town of
   Pondicherry early Friday with winds up to 135 kilometers per hour,
   before gradually decreasing.
   The cyclone has disrupted power supplies and communication networks,
   and has uprooted trees.
   Authorities say the deaths in the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu
   state were caused mostly by wall collapses and electrocution.
   Authorities say coastal villages were evacuated to shelters before
   Thane landed. Fishermen were also warned from venturing out into the
   rough seas.
   Heavy rain in southern India was expected to continue for 12 hours.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP.

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