tropical cyclone Phailin; cat 5 predicted

This is a bloody monster storm. It's a disaster when something like this hits the developed world (as we call it); the human toll in the developing world is beyond imagining.

I've read a few stories of people, subsistence farmers, staying in the danger zone to try to protect their crops and livestock -- everything they have in this world. Foolhardy no doubt, but understandable also. They have no fallback position. May the Fates treat them with compassion.

Wow, if it hits at the power they expect it will be a disaster of nearly unimaginable proportions. I tried to click on the DONATE button for the Indian Red Cross but it doesn't lead anywhere...wonder how best to help?

There's simply not much to do for them yet, I suppose. Sure looks bad right now.

Evidently massive evacuation efforts before the storm arrived have reduced the death toll considerably...