(AP) THE CYCLONE crossed the coast at Gopalpur and weakened as it moved northwest, Press Trust of India quoted officials of the Indian Meteorological Department as saying.
 
The cyclone brought heavy rain to several parts of the coast of Orissa and neighboring Andhra Pradesh state, the department said Authorities had moved thousands of poor people from their shanty towns as heavy rain hit the two states Sunday.
 
Details of the damage caused by the cyclone were not immediately clear. But in the past, cyclones have damaged power and telecommunication lines, flooded low-lying areas and disrupted road, rail and air travel. Torrential rains and strong winds in the last two days have uprooted trees in Andhra Pradesh.
 
Teams of doctors have taken positions along the coast in anticipation of emergencies, domestic news reports said.