A police person announces Cyclone Yaas related warnings at a beach in Odisha's Puri. (PTI photo) Cyclone Yaas Tracking, Weather Forecast Update in Bay of Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh: Even as India struggles to get back to normalcy after the powerful Cyclone Tauktae hit its Western Ghat a week ago, a strong cyclone is on its way to the Eastern Ghat. Named by Oman, Cyclone Yaas is at present at a deep depression stage in the Bay of Bengal. It will intensify into a cyclone today and reach Bengal, Odisha and other coastal areas of Eastern India sometime on Wednesday. The state governments are already on alert with the Indian Coast Guard mobilizing the forces and urging the people to not venture out in the sea. Those who have already left the shore are being requested to return to land as soon as possible. If the current pace continues, Cyclone Yaas will hit the coast between Paradip and Sagar island with a wind gust of 165 kmph.
Cyclone Yaas likely to make landfall near Balasore around Wednesday noon
Cyclonic storm Yaas is very likely to make landfall near Balasore in north Odisha with a speed of 155 kmph to 165 kmph, gusting to 185 kmph, around noon on May 26, the Met department said. The system, which lay centred about 620 km south-southeast of Balasore and 610 km south-southeast of Digha in West Bengal over east central Bay of Bengal on Monday morning, will move in a north-northwesterly direction, Sanjib Bandopadhyay, the deputy director at the Regional Met Centre in Kolkata, said. It will intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by Monday night and further intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm by May 26 early morning, he told reporters.
As India gets ready for another cyclone, here are the latest and fastest Cyclone Yaas updates:
Highlights
Met department officials said the storm system, which lay centred about 550 km south-southeast of Balasore at 5.30 pm on Monday is moving in a north-northwesterly direction, the Regional Met Centre in Kolkata, said. It will intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by Monday night and further intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm by May 26 within the next 12 hours. Yaas will cross the shore between Paradip in Odisha and Sagar island in West Bengal, close to Balasore, officials said. "At the time of landfall near Balasore, wind speed will reach 155 kmph to 165 kmph, gusting to 185 kmph, along and off Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak and Balasore districts in Odisha and in East Midnapore district of West Bengal," Sanjib Bandopadhyay, the deputy director at the Regional Met Centre in Kolkata, said. (PTI)
The Paradip Port Trust (PPT) administration is fully geared up to meet any eventuality of the impending cyclone 'Yaas', and the port has asked all vessels to pick up anchors and move to sea, according to a statement. India Meteorological Department said the deep depression over the Bay of Bengal intensified into cyclone Yaas in the early hours of Monday and it is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm in the next 24 hours. " As the cyclonic storm 'Yaas' is expected to trigger heavy downpour accompanied by high velocity wind in the locality, PPT Administration is fully geared up to meet any eventuality," PPT said in a statement quoting Port's Chairman Vinit Kumar. "All vessels at Paradip anchorage have been asked to pick up anchor and move to sea," it added. (PTI)
With the Odisha government launching a massive evacuation drive to save people from the fury of Cyclone Yaas, many people in the coastal districts of Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur are reluctant to move to government shelters as they are scared of catching coronavirus, an official said. It is an enormous challenge for safeguarding people this time amid the raging pandemic, the official said. "Maintaining social distancing norms while carrying out evacuation has become an uphill task. Still we are trying to convince the people not to take chances and shift to cyclone shelters and pucca houses," said the official who is monitoring evacuation work in Erasama block f Jagatsinghpur district. The seaside block was battered by the 1999 super cyclone as an estimated 10,000 people had perished then. (PTI)
Keeping in view the impending very severe cyclonic storm 'Yaas', the Odisha government on Monday decided to suspend the COVID-19 testing, vaccination and door-to-door survey work in the three cyclone prone districts. The three districts are-Balasore, Bhadrak and Mayurbhanj. They fall in the red zones having more than 1000 active coronavirus cases. 'The ongoing activities of COVID-19 testing, vaccination and door-to-door COVID-19 survey shall remain suspended in Balasore, Bhadrak and Mayurbhanj districts between May 25 and 27,' a notification issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department said. (PTI)
The space under the Eden Gardens' galleries will be used as a makeshift shelter arrangement for the ground staff of Kolkata Maidan clubs when the approaching cyclone Yaas strikes the city, Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) said on Monday. Yaas, which is classified as a very severe cyclonic storm, is predicted to hit Kolkata on Wednesday evening with wind speed of 150kph-plus. The makeshift arrangement will also have provision for food. "There are many sports clubs and institutions which have their tents in the Maidan which could be vulnerable and prone to high risk due to the cyclonic activity. "Therefore as a precautionary measure, the CAB has decided to make a shelter arrangement along with provision for food and other amenities in the under galleries of Eden Gardens from Tuesday evening to Thursday morning," CAB president Avishek Dalmiya said in a statement. The clubs wanting to evacuate their ground staff have been asked to contact the CAB joint secretary, Debabrata Das. "The facility would be offered to other sports associations too," it added. (PTI)
Five teams deployed in East Midnapore & 2 teams in Digha. Evacuation has started in Digha with people in temporary shelters being evacuated while those in permanent houses have been asked to take necessary precautions, ahead of Cyclone Yaas: NDRF Asst Commandant (2nd Battalion) (ANI)
Industry body COAI on Monday said preventive steps are being taken to mitigate the impact of cyclone Yaas on telecom infrastructure in West Bengal and Odisha, and that measures like intra-circle roaming, additional Cell on Wheels (CoWs) would be actioned to ensure connectivity and minimise disruption. The COAI said it is coordinating with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), state and local authorities, and emphasised that priority for the association and members would be to ensure that adverse impact of the cyclone remains minimal and telecom services are resumed at the earliest, wherever there is disruption. In consultation with the telecom department, intra-circle roaming would be initiated in affected areas expected to be impacted by this cyclone, the COAI said adding this would enable any telecom subscriber to latch on to any working network and not just be dependent only on their own network. "This is to ensure that cell phone services always remain active," Cellular Operators' Association of India (COAI) director general S P Kochhar said in a statement. (PTI)
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday said collective efforts of all the stakeholders to deal with cyclone Yaas can ensure zero casualty. He said central and state governments are working together to ensure an orderly planning, relief and rehabilitation measures post cyclone. "We must ensure a completely zero casualty situation and the collective efforts of governments and industry participants can actually make that happen," Goyal said while interacting with industry representatives on preparedness for cyclone Yaas. Several people have been killed in incidents related to cyclone 'Tauktae'. (PTI)
Cyclonic storm Yaas is very likely to make landfall near Balasore in north Odisha with a speed of 155 kmph to 165 kmph, gusting to 185 kmph, around noon on May 26, the Met department said on Monday. The system, which lay centred about 620 km south-southeast of Balasore and 610 km south-southeast of Digha in West Bengal over east central Bay of Bengal on Monday morning, will move in a north-northwesterly direction, Sanjib Bandopadhyay, the deputy director at the Regional Met Centre in Kolkata, said. It will intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by Monday night and further intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm by May 26 early morning, he told reporters. (PTI)
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday pointed out that the Centre, despite promising all forms of assistance to combat Cyclone Yaas, has agreed to provide an advance of only Rs 400 crore, while smaller states such as Odisha and Andhra Pradesh are being given Rs 600 each. Banerjee, following a meeting of Home Minister Amit Shah with chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Bengal and the Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, said her state, which is more densely populated, was facing 'repeated discrimination'. (PTI)
Kolkata Port will suspend all shipping movements from May 25 in wake of cyclone Yaas: Senior official
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) on Monday said flight operations at Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Jharsuguda and Durgapur airports are likely to be hit due to cyclone Yaas, while instructing other airports in the eastern region to be on alert in view of a possibility of change in path of cyclonic winds. It also said that civil aviation authorities in the country are taking all precautions and keeping a close tab on the movement of cyclone, which is approaching the eastern coast of the country. | Read More
For Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur & Keonjhar districts, the Collectors concerned shall decide on the suspension of these activities in the areas likely to be affected by Cyclone Yaas: Health & Family Welfare Dept, Govt of Odisha (ANI)
Cyclone Yaas | Odisha Govt suspends COVID-19 testing, vaccination & door to door survey in Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Mayurbhanj & Keonjhar dists. In Balasore, Bhadrak & Mayurbhanj districts suspension from 25th-27th May: Health & Family Welfare Dept, Odisha (ANI)
The Indian Coast Guard on Monday said all the 265 boats, which were reported to be in the Bay of Bengal by fisheries authorities, have returned to harbour in view of cyclone Yaas. The cyclone is very likely to cross the north Odisha and West Bengal coasts between Paradip and Sagar Island around May 26 noon as a 'very severe cyclonic storm'. It is expected to bring in winds of 155 to 165 kmph, gusting up to 180 kmph. "Consistent efforts of the ICG ensured all 265 boats reported at sea by fisheries authorities safely returned harbour," the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) tweeted. (PTI)
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday pointed out that the Centre, despite promising all forms of assistance to combat Cyclone Yaas, has agreed to provide an advance of only Rs 400 crore, while smaller states such as Odisha and Andhra Pradesh are being given Rs 600 each. (PTI)
There are 35 NDRF teams already deployed in West Bengal, some have been deployed in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Andaman & Nicobar. Some teams may have to be deployed in Jharkhand as cyclonic storm may impact cities like Jamshedpur and Ranchi: NDRF DG SN Pradhan. (ANI)
The metrological department has issued a blue alert in Bihar in connection with the cyclonic storm Yaas.
To avoid loss at the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port in Kolkata from the impending cyclone Yaas, all port vessels will be taken inside dock for shelter and ships inside docks will be fastened properly following best practices. According to the India Meteorological Department, the deep depression over the Bay of Bengal intensified into cyclone Yaas in the early hours of Monday and it is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm in the next 24 hours. (PTI)
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday said collective efforts of all the stakeholders to deal with cyclone Yaas can ensure zero casualty. He said central and state governments are working together to ensure an orderly planning, relief and rehabilitation measures post cyclone. (PTI)
Coast Guard ship and Chetak Helicopters sensitising vessels at sea
Due to cyclone Yaas, Piyush Goyal-led Indian Railways has decided to cancel several special train services. On 22 May 2021, the South Eastern Railway zone had cancelled as many as 78 special trains as a precautionary measure. Check full list here
Officer of Tollygunge police station makes public awareness announcement on preventive measures for combating 'Yaas' cyclone.
NDRF director general (DG) S N Pradhan says the force has earmarked a total of 149 teams for undertaking evacuation and rescue operations, of which 99 will be deployed on the ground and the remaining 50 will be available at its various bases across the country for quick airlift, if required. - PTI
Five cyclone shelters have been activated, where around 2,000 people from local slums and low lying areas will be accommodated with proper social distancing norms - PTI
Light to moderate rainfall at many places with heavy falls at isolated places on 24th May and heavy to very heavy falls at isolated places on 25th May in north coastal Andhra Pradesh.
Bihar: Light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall and extremely heavy falls at isolated places on 26th and 27th May and isolated heavy falls on 28th May.
Assam and Meghalaya: Light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places on 26th and 27th May.
Odisha: ADG Law & Order YK Jethwa, visits Balasore and Bhadrak to review cyclone evacuation plans and preparedness for post-cyclone rescue and recovery operations. 60 ODRAF formations and 55 platoons force deployed for tackling CycloneYaas -ANI
West Bengal: Heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places in Malda & Darjeeling, Dinajpur, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Sikkim & heavy rain at few places over Bankura, Purulia, Bardhaman, Birbhum & Murshidabad on 27th May. - ANI
Union Home Minister Amit Shah holds meeting via video conference with the chief ministers of Odisha Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and the Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands to review preparations in view of Cyclone Yaas - ANI
Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur -- are likely to be most impacted by the cyclonic storm, says IMD Director General Dr Mrutunjay Mohapatra - PTI
Odisha deploys National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and Fire Services personnel anticipating maximum impact in Balasore and Bhadrak districts, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) P K Jena says. - PTI
On May 26, the spread and intensity of rain will increase with the possibility of extremely heavy rainfall in Jhargram, Purba and Paschim Medinipur, North and South 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hooghly and Kolkata, according to the MeT Department. - PTI
The West Bengal government has opened control rooms at state secretariat Nabanna to monitor the cyclone and its fallout, an official said. The coastal districts of Purba and Paschim Medinipur, South and North 24 Parganas, along with Howrah and Hooghly will experience light to moderate rainfall in most places with heavy to very heavy downpour at one or two places from May 25 owing to the system, the weatherman said. - PTI
A deep depression over the Bay of Bengal has intensified into cyclonic storm 'Yaas' and is likely to cross the Odisha-West Bengal coasts on May 26 after turning into a very severe cyclonic storm, the MeT Department said on Monday. 'Yaas' is likely to cross the Odisha-West Bengal coasts between Paradip and Sagar Islands around noon on May 26 as a very severe cyclonic storm with wind speeds of 155-165 kmph, Kolkata's Regional Meteorological Centre Deputy Director Sanjib Bandopadhyay said. The system lays 540 km south-southeast of Paradip in Odisha and 630 km south-southeast of Digha in West Bengal on Monday morning and is very likely to move north-northwestwards and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by Tuesday and into a very severe cyclonic storm by Wednesday morning, the MeT Department said. - PTI
Kolkata Port Trust Chairman Vinit Kumar says the port has taken preparatory measures to avoid the loss of human lives, vessels and property."Before the onset of the cyclone, all port vessels will be taken inside dock for shelter. No ships will be kept in river anchorages or jetties," Kumar said. - Reuters
Paradip port has asked for all loading and unloading equipment, cranes and machines to be secured, according to a notification. "All vessels at Paradip anchorage to pick up anchor and move to sea, equipment and machineries at under-construction areas to be secured," the port said in a notification. - Reuters