In its latest observation, the India Meteorological Department on Wednesday indicated that Cyclone Yaas, which has intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm, has crossed the coast to the south of Balasore. The cyclone made landfall in Odisha at 9.15 am and it will continue up to three hours, said the weather department.
The weather agency said it would cross north Odisha-West Bengal coasts to the south of Balasore within the next 3 hours with wind speed of 130-140 kmph gusting to 155 kmph. The storm lay centred over northwest Bay of Bengal, about 25 km south of Balasore at 10:30 am today.
In an emerging situation due to a very severe cyclonic storm, 32 civilians were stuck due to a surge in water levels in West Bengal’s East Midnapore. The Indian Army has launched a rescue operation amid heavy rainfall in West Bengal.
An official from the Army said that briefing, joint recce, liaison and coordination with West Bengal government has been completed to provide immediate support to people in emerging situation due to Cyclone Yaas. Rescue and Relief columns are pre-positioned across areas expected to be affected for immediate response, the official said.
Cyclone Yaas caused heavy to extremely heavy rain in Odisha in the past 24 hrs. North Odisha and coastal Odisha are expected to receive heavy to extremely heavy rain today, said IMD DG Mrutyunjay Mohapatra.
West Bengal is expected to receive isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall today. Jharkhand will receive heavy to very heavy rainfall today and tomorrow with extremely heavy rainfall in isolated places. Also, parts of Bihar, sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim are expected to receive isolated heavy rainfall to very heavy rainfall today and tomorrow. While Assam and Meghalaya expected to receive isolated heavy rainfall today, Mohapatra added.
In view of the IMD warnings, the Airports Authority of India has on Tuesday directed Bhubaneswar airport to remain shut till 5 am on Thursday. The flight operations at Kolkata airport have also been suspended from 8:30 am to 7:45 pm on Wednesday.
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Amid the situation, over 3 lakh people have been evacuated from low-lying areas in Odisha. So far, two deaths and damage to homes has been reported as severe weather and rains affect Odisha and West Bengal.