Rough sea in the Bay of Bengal ahead of Cyclone 'Yaas' landfall, at Digha in East Midnapore district on May 25. (PTI Photo)Tropical Cyclone Yaas Live Location, Super Cyclone Yaas Latest Update Live: Cyclone Yaas, which is predicted to make landfall sometime on Wednesday afternoon in Odisha, has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm. The Indian Meteorological Department says that at the time of the landfall, Cyclone Yaas is likely to be in the ‘very severe cyclonic storm’ category. However, some experts suggest that since the storm has been formed closer to land, it won’t get time to travel much longer and may not be that powerful. But at the same time, we can’t be sure about the storms. Even if the degree of the landfall severity may drop a notch, the vast population in the path of Cyclone Yaas is a cause of concern.
According to IMD, severe cyclonic storm Yaas is very likely to cross north Odisha-West Bengal coasts between Paradip and Sagar Island close to the north of Dhamra and south of Balasore, during noon tomorrow as a very severe cyclonic storm. Yaas would continue to move north-northwestwards, intensify further & reach Northwest Bay of Bengal near north Odisha coast very close to Dhamra port by the early morning of May 26, IMD said.
Meanwhile, Paradip Port Trust (PPT) suspended its operations from 2 pm on Tuesday as part of safety measures in view of the impending cyclone storm ‘Yaas’, which is likely to cross the Odisha coast tomorrow (Wednesday). As many as 12 vessels proceeded down to the deep sea so as to avoid the path of the storm.
As states get ready for the first storm from Bay of Bengal, here are the latest, fastest and verified Cyclone Yaas updates:
Highlights
The West Bengal Forest Department has formed 16 teams in three districts for rescue operations in the wake of the impending cyclone 'Yaas', a top official said Tuesday. The teams have been set up in Kolkata, North and South 24 Parganas, he said. "In Kolkata and South/North 24 Parganas districts, 16 teams will be at work in sync with local civic bodies, including the KMC, for exigencies including cutting and lopping of felled trees and rescue operations of humans and animals," the senior forest official told PTI. The department, to prevent the tiger population in the Sunderbans from straying into adjacent villages, is working on war footing to repair holes in nylon nets that demarcate the Sunderban Tiger Reserve with neighbouring areas, he said. (PTI)
#CycloneYaas: Eastern Railway cancels Malda-Balurghat passenger special on May 26 and May 27 (ANI)
Severe Cyclonic Storm Yaas lay centred at 5:30 pm today over northwest Bay of Bengal, about 160 kms east southeast of Paradip (Odisha), 250 km south-southeast of Balasore (Odisha), 240 km south-southeast of Digha (West Bengal) and 230 km south of Sagar Islands (West Bengal): IMD (ANI)
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Mahindra & Mahindra on Tuesday said it is creating a relief task force as part of its preparedness for cyclone Yaas as it approaches the east coast. The task force is equipped to extend quick support to Mahindra vehicle owners in affected areas. The company also urged its customer to take precautions against the approaching storm and heavy rainfall by removing all valuable belongings from the vehicle and parking it in a high-lying covered area not prone to waterlogging. Users should refrain from starting the vehicle if it is submerged in water to avoid damage to the engine, M&M Ltd said in a statement. Cyclone Yaas is likely to make landfall near Dhamra Port in Odisha's Bhadrak district early on Wednesday morning and it can have a speed of 155 Kmph to 165 kmph, gusting to 185 kmph, the IMD has said on Monday. (PTI)
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday held a review meeting on impending cyclone Yass and instructed officials to remain alert to deal with the calamity. Chairing a virtual meeting with officials of disaster management and other departments and also district magistrates, the chief minister told them to make all arrangements in advance to meet the challenges of the very severe cyclonic storm likely to make landfall near Dhamra Port in Odisha's Bhadrak district early Wednesday morning. Kumar said as per the information Bihar will also be effected by the cyclone and so the officials should remain prepared in advance, an official statement said. He directed officials to make alternative arrangements in hospitals, government as well as private, in the event of power getting snapped due to cyclonic impact and asked them to make a dry run of the optional preparation. (PTI)
Cyclone Yaas intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm on Tuesday evening, India Meteorological Department Director-General M Mohapatra said. The IMD has also issued a red-coded warning alert to the Odisha and West Bengal coasts. "The severe cyclonic storm 'Yaas' (pronounced as 'Yass') over northwest and Bay of Bengal intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm," Mohapatra said. It is very likely to move north-northwestwards, intensify further and reach near north Odisha coast close to Dhamra port by the early morning of Wednesday. "It is very likely to cross north Odisha-West Bengal coasts between Paradip and Sagar Islands close to north of Dhamra and south of Balasore, during noon of Wednesday, the 26th May as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm," the Cyclone Warning Division of the IMD said. The cyclone is being tracked by Doppler Weather Radar at Paradip, it added.
After it was known that Cyclone Yaas will hit Bhitarkania National Park in Kendrapara district close to Dhamra port in Odisha, local people exude optimism that the rich mangrove forest cover along the wetland sites of the park would again turn into a saviour for them. Though the cyclonic storm is likely to make landfall on Wednesday, rain has started in the national park area since Tuesday morning and people are experiencing gusty wind. 'Everybody here is confined indoors either in homes or cyclone shelters. The forest cover around had protected us with minimal damage in past cyclones. We pray forest withstands the onslaught this time also,' said Ganesh Chandra Gudia who lives in Talchua village beside the park. The national park had withstood the onslaught of cyclone Amphan that had barrelled through coastal Odisha in May last year. 'The coastal woodland has the capacity to withstand wind speed up to 20 kilometre per hour. We are scared but hopeful that nature will arrest the stormy onslaught,' Nrusingha Behera, a resident of Nalitapatia village said. The luxuriant mangrove cover often acts as a protective barrier against cyclone and tidal surge. 'Mangrove forests with its intricate root system stabilise the coastline, reducing erosion from storm surges, currents, waves, and tides,' said Divisional Forest Officer, Rajnagar Mangrove (wildlife) Forest Division, Bikash Ranjan Dash. (PTI)
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In view of #CycloneYaas, 11.5 lakh people have been evacuated; 40 houses damaged in Halisahar with 4-5 people injured; 40 houses damaged in Chuchura, while two people have died due to lightning in Pandua: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at a presser in Nabanna (ANI)
CycloneYaas: In view of the weather warning by IMD, flight operations at Kolkata airport will be suspended from 8:30 am till 7:45 pm of May 26, according to the airport administration. (ANI)
CycloneYaas | As per prediction of Regional Meteorological Dept, coastal areas of East Medinipur and South 24 Parganas likely to be worst-affected in West Bengal. Kolkata will receive heavy rain with wind speed of 65 to 75 Kilometres per hour. (AIR News)
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Union minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday reviewed the preparedness of all the major ports on the eastern coast of India to deal with the situation arising out of Cyclone Yaas and said the ports should ensure that the least possible damage is done to assets and loss of lives. According to an official statement, chairpersons of the major ports briefed the Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways about the measures taken to deal with the situations that may arise due to the cyclone. "Union Minister of State (I/C) for Ports, Shipping & Waterways reviewed the preparedness of all the major ports lying on the eastern coast of India in the wake of Cyclone Yaas. "...the minister said major ports should ensure that the least possible damage is done to port assets and loss of lives in the Cyclone Yaas," the statement said. It also said that the entire port operational area cleared of port users and workers. As per the statement, a 24X7 control room is set up at the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and control rooms of MoPSW, Navy, ICG, MoPNG are in coordination. (PTI)
Chief Secretary S C Gupta on Tuesday reviewed the preparedness of different departments for the severe cyclonic storm Yaas, which is likely to impact Sikkim among other states over the next 24 to 48 hours, an official said. The maintenance of power supply, road and communication infrastructure in Sikkim topped the agenda of the review meeting attended by all senior officials of the state government. The chief secretary said that an alternate power supply arrangements have been made for the STNM hospital in the state capital, besides for District Hospitals, Covid Care Centres in the event of disruption in regular supply lines due to heavy rains. Gupta also reviewed the situation of power supply to the oxygen generation plant and he was informed by the power department officials that an alternate arrangement was already in place. (PTI)
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After May 27 morning, Cyclone Yaas will further move into the interiors of Odisha, and thereafter weaken into depression and reach Jharkhand. The impact will be in the form of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall with high windspeed: HR Biswas, IMD Bhubaneswar Director (ANI)
Cyclone Yaas is located about 200 km SouthEast of Paradip (Odisha), likely to move north-northwestward. In next 6 hours, it will intensify into severe CS. Landfall expected likely by tomorrow noon b/w south of Balasore & north of Dhamra port: HR Biswas, IMD Bhubaneswar Director(ANI)
Ahead of the severe cyclonic storm Yaas hitting Odisha coast on Wednesday morning, the Tata Power has already kept about 15,000 workforce ready to start electricity restoration activities in the state as soon as the calamity recedes, an official said. TP Northern Odisha Distribution Limited (TPNODL) and TP Western Odisha Distribution Ltd (TPWODL) have a detailed Business Continuity and Disaster Management Plan (BCDMP) in place for dealing with the cyclone, the official said. The company in consultation with the state government, has already deployed 13,500 people including engineers and kept another 1,500 workforce in reserve for undertaking the restoration works immediately after the cyclone. (PTI)
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GIS firm Esri India on Tuesday released a map for the public to track the live path of Yaas cyclone, which is likely to make landfall near Balasore in north Odisha on May 26. The GIS (Geographic Information System) Map will provide early information like forecast position, forecast trend, observed track for cyclone, wind speed, watches, and warnings among others, that can be useful in mapping and risk preparedness, Esri said in a statement. "The objective is to give a common view to relevant authorities, departments and social organisations in order to maximize reach-out to citizens so that there is timely action for the safety of life and property. "The cyclone Yaas Live Path Map is specifically created to provide updates leveraging GIS technology. This will help citizens and organisations involved to prepare and temporarily relocate to less severe areas," Esri India Managing Director Agendra Kumar said. The map, available on Esri website, will provide updates on the weather, wind speed, number of households and population in the area. (PTI)
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Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar reviews preparedness on Cyclone Yaas and COVID-19 via video conferencing, in Patna (ANI)
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Indian Railways moved 680 tonnes of oxygen from Odisha, West Bengal, and Jharkhand in the last 12 hours in anticipation of Cyclone Yaas which is likely to hit the region soon, the national transporter said on Tuesday. Severe cyclonic storm Yaas is likely to make landfall near Dhamra Port in Odisha's Bhadrak district early Wednesday morning, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. "Oxygen Expresses moved 680 tonnes of oxygen relief from Odisha, West Bengal and Jharkhand in the last 12 hours before the cyclone gets stronger. Eight Oxygen Expresses have moved from the region," a statement from the Railways said. (PTI)
Ships at anchorage have been asked to move to a safer area in the sea while oil and gas installations will go into 'survival' mode as they brace for cyclone Yaas to make landfall at north Odisha-West Bengal coast. Cyclone Yaas, equivalent to a category 3 hurricane, is the second severe storm in the span of about 10 days to hit Indian coasts. The cyclone is set to make landfall sometime Wednesday evening. A major contingency plan has been put in place to mitigate the impact of the cyclone on oil and gas installations, an official statement said. Odisha coast has two major ports at Dhamra and Paradip and a huge oil refinery at Paradip. West Bengal hosts a major port at Haldia. Oil and gas exploration and production installations are designed to withstand cyclones. There are also smaller ports along the coast. "The oil and gas industry has made all arrangements to maintain adequate petroleum product, CNG, LPG stock at all the dealerships in the area expected to be hit by the cyclone," it said. "Disaster Control Room at Corporate and Divisional level has been set up by the oil and gas companies." The contingency plan drawn includes suspending all critical operations once the cyclone intensity increases, shutdown of identified oil and gas installations before wind speed exceeds 60-80 kph, and all vessels at anchorage moved to safe areas away from the path of the cyclone. Offshore oil and gas installations will go into what is called a 'survival' mode -- halting movements and going into a cocoon. Ports, refineries and plants are on high alert. Indian Oil Corp (IOC), the nation's biggest oil firm, stopped unloading crude oil at Paradip in Odisha and asked all ships to move 250 nautical miles away from the path of the cyclone. Both Paradip Port Trust and Dhamra Port have asked all vessels at anchorage to move to a safer area in the sea, while those alongside berths have been asked to keep their main engines ready to move to sea at a short notice. "Oil industry officials are in close coordination with Paradip and Haldia Port authorities on the berthing and de-berthing of vessels/barges at jetties. "Activities at all project sites have been temporarily suspended, and the workers have been moved out to ensure their safety. All ships carrying petroleum products and crude oil have been advised to keep a safe distance from the cyclone's path," the statement said. However, the industry is geared up to ensure a continuous supply of petroleum products and other essential commodities, including medical oxygen, for continued COVID-19 management. "All-out efforts are underway to ensure that the supply of Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) from the eastern part of India to the rest of the country doesn't get affected by the cyclonic storm," it noted. (PTI)
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Tata Power on Tuesday said its electricity distribution firm TP Northern Odisha Distribution Ltd has chalked out a detailed disaster management plan to deal with cyclone 'Yaas'. As per the IMD report, cyclone Yaas is likely to move in districts along northern Odisha and adjoining West Bengal by the evening of May 26 and intensify into a cyclonic storm, a company statement said. TP Northern Odisha Distribution Ltd (TPNODL) has a detailed Business Continuity and Disaster Management Plan (BCDMP) in place for dealing with this cyclone. BCDMP entails categories of disasters based on the severity along with a corresponding action plan, a disaster management structure to systematically receive alerts for disasters, examine them, send pre-disaster alerts and devise mechanism for invoking and revoking BCDMP. Understanding the need of the hour, TPNODL has formed dedicated teams to ensure 24x7 power supply to oxygen plants. It has also strategically placed dedicated quick response teams at various locations across the licensed areas. A call centre toll free number is also in place for any emergency service, it added. (PTI)
WB | Irrigation dept is fully prepared. CM Mamata Banerjee has ordered all departments to stay alert for #CycloneYaas. This is not the first time we’re facing a cyclone. Houses, where water has entered, will be renovated: Irrigation and Waterways Minister Soumen Kumar Mahapatra (ANI)
West Bengal and Odisha have evacuated lakhs of people from vulnerable areas to safety as severe cyclonic storm 'Yaas' is nearing the coast and is expected to make landfall near Dhamra Port in Bhadrak district early on Wednesday morning. Neighbouring Jharkhand has also sounded an alert and is preparing for the cyclone's impact. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said that her administration has evacuated over 9 lakh people to safe shelters. The Odisha government, on the other hand, said it has moved over 2 lakh people from vulnerable areas in coastal districts to safety. IMD Director General Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said that 'Yaas' is likely to intensify into a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS) by Tuesday evening. He said the cyclone's impact will be severe for six hours before and after the landfall and Chandbali will witness the maximum damage. Dr Umashankar Das, a scientist at the Regional Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar said that the landfall will most likely be between Dhamra and Chandbali in Odisha's Bhadrak district. Banerjee said over 74,000 officers and workers and over 2 lakh policemen and civic volunteers have been deployed to mitigate the natural calamity in West Bengal. She said that National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel have been deployed and Army's help will be sought if required. "We have evacuated at least 9 lakh people to relief and flood centres. There are 4,000 flood centres in the state. "We are monitoring the situation 24/7. Control rooms have been set up at every block to monitor the situation, apart from the one at state secretariat Nabanna," she said. (PTI)
Telecom industry body TAIPA on Tuesday said the association and its members are in a state of readiness to mitigate the impact of Cyclone Yaas on telecom infrastructure in West Bengal and Odisha, adding that teams have been deployed to deal with any outage and restore connectivity. All infrastructure provider (IP) members have taken necessary measures including preparedness in terms of Cell on Wheels (CoWs), arrangement of spare batteries, and adequate amount of diesel and generator sets, T R Dua, Director-General, Tower and Infrastructure Providers Association (TAIPA), said in a statement. Teams are in a state of readiness to rectify any damage to telecom installations. "TAIPA and its members such as Indus Towers, ATC Towers, Ascend Telecom, Summit Digitel and Tower Vision along with the telecom operators have geared up to mitigate the impact of cyclone Yaas...," the association said. Barely a week after cyclone Tauktae battered the western coast, leaving behind a trail of destruction, the country is bracing for cyclone Yaas on the eastern coast. Severe cyclonic storm Yaas is likely to make landfall near Dhamra Port in Odisha's Bhadrak district early on Wednesday morning, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said. (PTI)
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Cyclone Yaas has turned into a severe cyclonic storm with wind speed expected to increase by evening. It will further go up from160-185 km/h tomorrow. NDRF has about 115 teams deployed in 5 states and 1 UT including 52 in Odisha & 45 in West Bengal: NDRF DG SN Pradhan (ANI)
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Bhubaneswar: Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik reviews the preparedness for CycloneYaas in the state via video conferencing (ANI)
West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar visits Regional Meteorological Centre to review preparations in the wake of Cyclone Yaas. He says, "I appeal to everyone not to take Met Department's advisory lightly. NGOs should also come forward to help the needy with appropriate relief." (ANI)
All vehicles except those involved in emergency services on NH connecting Kolkota to Chennai routes will be closed from 12 midnight to 12 noon tomorrow in the wake of CycloneYaas: Chakravarti Singh Rathore, District Magistrate Jajpur, Odisha (ANI)
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has asked Collectors of the three north coastal districts to be on a high alert in view of the Yaas cyclone that is likely to cross the Bay of Bengal coast in neighbouring Odisha on Wednesday. The Chief Minister conducted a videoconference with Collectors of Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts and reviewed the situation. Chief Secretary Aditya Nath Das, who was camping in Srikakulam, briefed the CM on the prevailing situation in the three north coastal districts. All higher officials were stationed in Srikakulam, bordering Odisha, to closely monitor the situation and take required action, he said. Except light rain, there has been not much impact in Srikakulam district. The Chief Secretary said diesel generators sets have been kept ready in all hospitals to ensure there was no disruption to oxygen supply for COVID-19 patients, in the event of a power outage. (PTI)