India Mobilizes Against Cyclone Fani: BBC

About 10 percent of the world’s population lives directly in coastal areas and about 40 percent live within 100 kilometers. “Almost two-thirds of the world's cities with populations of over five million are located in areas at risk of sea level rise,” explains a UN factsheet. Even as populations prefer living in coastal areas, climate change brings rising seas and extreme weather events, and national governments must prepare accordingly. In advance of Cyclone Fani, India prepares to evacuate 800,000 people and positions supplies and staff of the National Disaster Response Force. “Cyclone Fani is heading towards the state of Orissa with wind speeds in excess of 200 km/h (127 mph), and is expected to make landfall on Friday,” reports BBC News. “Officials have now shut down operations at two major ports on the east coast, and thousands of rescuers are helping people evacuate from low-lying areas.” The cyclone is then expected to weaken over land and head toward Bangladesh on Saturday, where officials have closed ports and prepare hundreds of shelters. The report points out that Fani will be the fourth storm to hit that coast since 1990. Officials warn of “total destruction of thatched houses” and “extensive damage” to other structures. – YaleGlobal