In a first for Jharkhand, Cyclone Yaas set to enter state

RANCHI: For the first time in Jharkhand’s nearly 21 years of existence, the projected path of a cyclone is set to pass through the state and likely to leave a trail of destruction. The state government has now scrambled to protect its assets and people apart from making efforts to conduct rescue operations. However, there are no plans to evacuate people currently.
On Monday, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red category warning for East Singhbhum, West Singbhum and Seraikela Kharsawan, saying Cyclone Yaas, which make landfall at the Odisha-West Bengal border on Wednesday noon, will enter the state on the same day. A very severe or severe cyclonic storm will reach Jharkhand through East Singhbhum and will be preceded by fairly widespread rainfall and squally wind with speeds up to 40-50 kmph, the IMD said.
Unlike previous cyclonic storms originating in the Bay of Bengal, Cyclone Yaas has an unchanged projected path and intensity even after making landfall and expected to reach Jharkhand, putting the entire administrative machinery on its toes.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has allocated four of its team for Jharkhand and three of them are being deployed in Jamshedpur and one team has been kept on standby in Ranchi to extend necessary support to the local administration.
The director-general of NDRF, S N Pradhan, said they are prepared to tackle any situation and help the state. “As the IMD has predicted a severe cyclonic storm in Jamshedpur, three teams have been dispatched to help evacuate residents in low-lying areas and carry out relief and rescue operations as required,” he said.
According to its evening bulletin, the IMD said Yaas is currently over the east-central area of the Bay of Bengal and 490 km south-southwest of Paradip (Odisha) and 580 km south-southeast of Digha (Bengal) which is very likely to move north-northwest and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm in next 12 hours and into a very severe cyclonic storm in subsequent 24 hours to reach north Odisha-West Bengal coast near Balasore on Wednesday noon.
It further said heavy rainfall is expected in isolated parts of Jharkhand over East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharsawan on Tuesday and issued a yellow category alert for the region for the day.
“The cyclonic storm would approach the state from southeast parts (East Singhbhum district) as severe cyclonic storm/cyclonic storm on May 26 evening/night and gradually reach near Jamshedpur city with decreased intensity as deep depression (28-33 knots/ 50-61 kmph) around 5.30 am on May 27. It would further move north-northwest gradually decreasing its intensity and reach to the east of Ranchi city as depression (17-27 knots/ 31-49 kmph) around 5.30 pm of May 27,” the bulletin read.
It also issued a red category warning for the southern districts — East & West Singhbhum and Seraikela Kharsawan for May 26 and May 27 — when there are very high chances of extremely heavy rainfall and widespread rainfall throughout the state.
Abhishek Anand, a weather scientist at the IMD Ranchi office, said the impact of Yaas would be evident on Jharkhand from Tuesday. “The main impact would be observed on Wednesday and Thursday. During the daytime, wind speeds up to 50-60 kmph would be witnessed in the south and southeastern districts which may reach up to 110-120 kmph by evening with gusty winds reaching up to 130 kmph,” he said.
Anand added, “The cyclonic storm would convert into a deep depression by 5.30 am on Thursday accompanied by extremely heavy rainfall in southeastern districts while the north-western districts would experience heavy to very heavy rainfall.”
Another weather scientist, Dr A Wadood of Birsa Agriculture University, said unlike previous cyclones, the IMD has not predicted any deviation in the projected path of Yaas and will progress even after hitting the landmass. “From the prediction, it seems that the cyclone would remain violent during its entry into Jharkhand and the wind speed can cause substantial damage to trees, thatched roof, power lines and inundation of low lying areas,” he said.
Wadood explained that wind speed ranging from 40-50 kmph does not cause much damage but once it crosses the 80-kmph range, even big trees cannot withstand it and can damage property. “People living in low-lying areas along the banks of Subarnarekha and Kharkai rivers must be evacuated on time to avoid loss of life,” he said.
Disaster management minister Banna Gupta issued directives to the departmental secretary on Monday to make necessary arrangements and streamline power and water supply during the three days beginning Tuesday when the cyclone is likely to remain active in the state. “We have directed the NDRF teams to remain alert and assist the local administration in case of any eventuality,” Gupta said.
As a preventive measure, the railways have cancelled as many as 11 trains — either originating or passing through the Ranchi rail division -- and a total of 129 in the state. The state electricity distribution companies have also assured that they would remain alert and carry out immediate repair and maintenance work in case power lines are snapped.