More than nine million people were affected by the Category 4 storm, including more than 873,000 people who were evacuated before the cyclone made landfall in the south-eastern states of Orissa and Andhra Pradesh.
International humanitarian agency World Vision is working with local authorities to assess the storm's toll, but despite causing damage to 4200 communication base stations, it is already known that 200,000 homes were destroyed in one district alone.
The Indian Army has also reported 14,515 villages across 12 districts are affected, many of them flooded.
World Vision's head of Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs Anthea Spinks said the organisation would move as quickly as possible to ensure the death toll remained low.
"Obviously any loss of life is very sad, but the last time a cyclone of this strength hit the same area the death toll was 10,000," Ms Spinks said. "Early evacuations saved lives, but what we need to do now is make sure the toll remains low by helping to ensure access to food, water, sanitation and shelter."
A food distribution for 500 families will take place tomorrow, and World Vision also has a range of pre-positioned goods on hand to distribute to those in need.
Over the next few days, however, one of the biggest risks to survivors will come from flooding and water-borne diseases.
As a child focused organisation, World Vision is particularly concerned with the welfare of children. When emergencies occur, children are often the most vulnerable to injury, exploitation, abuse and separation from caregivers. Child-friendly spaces are one way that World Vision can prioritise the care and protection of children in an emergency.
World Vision runs eight development projects in Orissa state and while homes were lost, no one was killed.
To donate to the Emergency Preparedness Fund, which helps World Vision respond to disasters, visit www.worldvision.com.au