Bhubaneswar, Oct 12 (IANS): At least five people were killed as heavy rains and strong winds swept coastal Odisha ahead of cyclone Phailin's landfall. Of the five dead, two died in Ganjam district, where the cyclone was likely to hit land. Two died in Jagatsinghpur district and one in Bhubaneswar.
Four of the deaths occurred as trees uprooted in strong winds fell on the people. An 80-year-old woman died after her mud house collapsed while she was asleep.
Wind speeds in several parts of Odisha were over 100 km per hour. More than a dozen seaside villages have been inundated.