Cyclone Yaas has developed over the east-central region of Bay of Bengal, and is expected to hit eastern coastal areas of Odisha and West Bengal on May 26 as a very severe cyclonic storm, said the India Meteorological Department.
The deep depression over East-central Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm during the next 24 hours, it added.
After intensifying into a very severe cyclonic storm, Cyclone Yaas is likely to make landfall on Wednesday evening between Paradip in Odisha and Sagar islands in West Bengal with wind speed ranging from 155kmph to 165 kmph, gusting to 185 kmph.
The intensity of the cyclone is being considered similar to that of Cyclone Amphan, which hit the Sunderbans in south Bengal in May 2020, which led to death of over 100 people and caused widespread damage in the region. It is highly damaging wind speed, you can compare the damage with last cyclone Tauktae and cyclone Amphan, said Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, IMD DGM.
In view of the warnings, 60 teams of Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force are being deployed in the State with equipment for rescue, relief & recovery. Fishermen have been directed not to venture into the sea. We’ll try to ensure there is no casualty, said Paradip Additional SP.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting to review the preparedness of the state and central agencies to deal with the situation. He ordered a timely evacuation of those involved in offshore activities.
In a series of measures to tackle the cyclone, the armed forces are on alert with the Navy ready with four warships and a number of aircrafts. Eastern Railways has suspended 25 trains between May 24 and May 29 in view of the situation.
Read Also: Top virologist Gagandeep Kang says India late in buying Covid vaccines from international markets
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has kept 11 transport aircraft and 25 helicopters ready to carry out humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. They have airlifted 21 tonnes of relief materials and 334 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel to Kolkata and Port Blair from three different places to tackle the cyclone that is brewing in the Bay of Bengal.