Cyclone Phailin bears down on India

India is preparing for a massive cyclone that is sweeping through the Bay of Bengal towards the east coast.

Rain and winds are already being felt in the state of Orissa which, along with Andhra Pradesh, is expected to bear the brunt of the storm.

The army is on standby for emergency and relief operations when Cyclone Phailin, categorised as "very severe" by weather forecasters, makes landfall on Saturday.