India evacuates 50,000 as cyclone gains strength

India moved 50,000 people to relief camps on Oct 27 as it began evacuations a day before Cyclone Montha, intensifying over the Bay of Bengal, is set to bring strong winds and heavy rain to its east coast, officials said.

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The authorities cancelled holidays for emergency staff and ordered schools and colleges to close in the coastal areas of the southern state of Andhra Pradesh and the eastern state of Odisha, which are forecast to be hit by the harsh weather.

The cyclone is likely to turn into a severe storm by Oct 28, before crossing the coast of Andhra Pradesh later in the day, the India Meteorological Department said.