Weakened Gustav leaves a million without power

Dharam Shourie and Priyanka Tikoo

Miami, Sept 2 (PTI) More than one million people in
the U.S. state of Louisiana and neighbouring areas were
without power as strong winds and rains produced by a weakened
Hurricane Gustav lashed the area, but mostly spared New
Orleans, which was devastated three years ago by Katrina.

Reports said that offshore oil facilities, which were
closed ahead of the storm, escaped damage but around two
million people who had fled in the face of the oncoming
calamity were in doubt as to whether they would have houses to
go back to. The facilities provide about a quarter of the
country's supplies.

The storm has led to seven deaths in the U.S., with four
people dead in traffic accidents while three from falling
trees.

Even as Gustav was weakening, officials were closely
watching a fourth Hurricane of the season Hanna, which they
predict might be nearing the southeastern coast of the United
States by Friday.

They were worried their warnings might not be taken
seriously next time as Gustav did not live up to original
forecast that it would strengthen to highest Category five
storm.

Weather experts say that the Hanna could hit somewhere
between Miami and North Carolina if the current models of its
course hold.

Once the weather improves, the officials would start
assessing the damage to rural and fishing communities which
bore the wrath of the storm after it struck Louisiana coast
about 110 kilometres from New Orleans. A major fear is erosion
which could wipe out some of the villages forever.

Meanwhile, Gustav has weakened to a tropical storm but
meteorologists say the rain will continue to lash central
Louisiana with tropical force winds. The focus of Gustav is
shifting from wind and wave surge to rainfall and some areas
might experience as much as 50 centimetres of rain.

Weather experts forecast that Gustav will slow down and
eventually become nearly stationary over northeastern Texas
producing tremendous amounts rainfall.

Though New Orleans was spared, it is yet unclear when the
people would be allowed back into the city, with Indian
American governor of Louisiana Bobby Jindal saying that debris
would have to be cleared and bridges inspected.

Meanwhile, Hanna intensified with maximum sustained winds
of about 130 kilometres per hour. By Friday, it may be nearing
the Southeast US coast.

This will take it on a course that will move it over the
southeastern and central Bahamas during the next few days. It
has already begun to churn the ocean waters off the Southeast
coast of the US.

Numerous rescues by lifeguards were carried out along the
beaches of South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina on the
last two days, all due to the dangerous rip currents. The high
rip current threat will last through the week.
President George Bush, meanwhile, cancelled his plans to
address the Republican Convention and instead rushed to
command centre in Texas and later expressed satisfaction at
the arrangements.

Presumptive Republican presidential candidate John McCain
went to Waterville, Ohio, and helped pack relief supplies for
the victims of Gustav.