World Bank chief expresses concerns over cyclone Phailin

Washington: The World Bank chief has expressed concern over the landfall of cyclone Phailin, stating that his thoughts go out to all those living in its

path.

"I'd like to express our concern about reports in eastern India where Cyclone Phailin has made landfall," World Bank President Jim Young Kim told reporters at the conclusion of the annual plenary meeting of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in Washington.

"It is forecast to hit an area populated with 4.5 million people. Our thoughts go out to all those living in the cyclone's path," Jim said on Saturday.

Phailin, the worst cyclone since the disastrous super-cyclone of 1999, on Saturday pounded the Odisha coast, bringing in its wake torrential rains and wind speeds of over 200 kmph in the state and in neighbouring north coastal Andhra Pradesh.