Jharkhand has been put on high alert amid the forecast that cyclone Yaas would be hitting the state by midnight after pounding neighboring Odisha and West Bengal, officials said.
As Tropical Cyclone ‘Yaas’ continues to ravage India’s eastern coast, a spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the world body was ready to assist the country in its relief efforts if it needed help.
“From South Asia, which is being impacted currently by Tropical Cyclone Yaas, our humanitarian colleagues tell us that we have activated cyclone preparedness measures and prepositioned stocks of food and other items,” spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said. “The cyclone reached the Indian state of Odisha yesterday, with millions of people being evacuated by the Government ahead of the storm. UN agencies and our partners in India stand ready to support the response efforts if State authorities request it.”
The cyclonic storm ‘Yaas’ weakened into a deep depression over southern Jharkhand and adjoining Odisha late on Thursday, according to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). It is likely to move northwestward and gradually weaken into depression later today, the IMD said.
#CycloneYaas | Impact to stay for another 36 hours, heavy rainfall reported from adjacent areas & West Bengal. Red Alert issued in Bihar, Jharkhand & part of UP following heavy rainfall activity for today & tomorrow: RK Jenamani, senior scientist, India Meteorological Department pic.twitter.com/bCELYCOATi
— ANI (@ANI) May 27, 2021
At least four people were killed as several coastal towns of north Odisha and neighboring West Bengal were pounded by the severe cyclonic storm after it made landfall in Odisha on Wednesday morning. While three died in Odisha, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said that one person, who was initially rescued, died “accidentally” later in the state. Banerjee also said that at least one crore people in the state were affected by rough weather conditions and high tide arising out of the storm. Three lakh houses have suffered damage, she told.
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