NEW DELHI, March 16 (Xinhua) -- At least two people died, and nearly 20 were injured when a strong tornado hit parts of India's eastern state of Odisha on Sunday. Many houses were also damaged as the tornado swept through the area, confirmed the local police.

The natural tragedy mainly struck the coastal state's Mayurbhanj district. According to the police, nearly 100 houses across several villages were ravaged in the tornado.

The tornado's effects lasted nearly 30 minutes. According to an online report by Hindustan Times, winds were so strong that a large number of trees and electric poles were uprooted, rooftops were ripped apart, and vehicles were swept off the roads.

Several teams from the state's disaster response force had reached out for rescue and relief operations. Further details of the destruction were awaited.