New Delhi: A massive evacuation process has begun in West Bengal and Odisha's coastal regions in the wake of cyclone Yaas, which is expected to be as intense as Cyclone Tauktae which slammed into the west coast last week.
The cyclone is likely to intensify into severe cyclonic storm by Monday night and will bring winds of speed of up to 180 kms per hour when it makes landfall on West Bengal and Odisha coasts on Wednesday, the weather department said earlier today. It is very likely to cross north Odisha-West Bengal coasts between Paradip and Sagar Island around May 26 noon and make landfall near Balasore in north Odisha, news agency PTI quoted an Met department official as saying.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the state is targeting to shift at least 10 lakh people to safer places in a bid to avoid any loss of life. In Odisha, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) PK Jena told reporters that the evacuation process has already begun and would be completed by Tuesday afternoon.
Earlier in the day, Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a meeting with the Chief Ministers of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and the Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands to review the preparations in view of cyclone Yaas.
Here are the Highlights on Cyclone Yaas:
May 24, 2021 23:10 (IST)
Odisha Assigns Senior Officials To Supervise Relief Work In High Risk Districts
The Odisha Government on Monday assigned senior officers to supervise relief, rehabilitation and restoration work in the high risk districts that are likely to be affected due to cyclone Yaas, according to news agency PTI. The officers concerned were requested to proceed to the respective districts immediately. Besides, the state police said more than 800 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) personnel are in a high state of readiness for the cyclone Yaas.
May 24, 2021 22:58 (IST)
"Fully Prepared To Tackle Cyclone Yaas": Odisha Chief Minister Tells Amit Shah
Odisha is fully prepared to tackle cyclone Yaas, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik informed the Centre on Monday. The very severe cyclonic storm is likely to make landfall near Balasore on May 26. While interacting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah who reviewed the cyclone situation, Mr Patnaik said the state is fully prepared and "our officers are in touch with officers of the union government. We'll get back on requirements."
The Odisha government has already evacuated about one thousand people from the low-lying areas and vulnerable storm-surge pockets in the four districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur, according to news agency PTI.
May 24, 2021 22:36 (IST)
People Reluctant To Shift To Cyclone Shelters Due To Covid Fear In Odisha: Report
People in Odisha's coastal districts of Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur are reluctant to move to the government shelters due to the fear of getting infected, news agency PTI quoted an official as saying. The massive shifting process is underway in view of the impending cyclone Yaas.
The official, who is monitoring the evacuation work in Jagatsinghpur's Erasama block, said maintaining social distancing norms while carrying out evacuation has become an uphill task. "Still we're trying to convince the people not to take chances and shift to cyclone shelters and pucca houses," the report quoted him as saying.
May 24, 2021 22:29 (IST)
Odisha Halts Covid Testing, Vaccination In Three Cyclone-Prone Districts
The Odisha government has decided to suspend all activities related to COVID-19, including testing, vaccination and door-to-door survey work, in three cyclone-prone districts in view of the impending Cyclone Yaas, according to news agency PTI. The three districts - Balasore, Bhadrak and Mayurbhanj - fall in red zones having over 1,000 active coronavirus cases. A notification issued by the health department said the district collectors of Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur and Keonjhar will take a call on suspension of the COVID related activities in their jurisdiction.
May 24, 2021 20:55 (IST)
Amit Shah Reviews Cyclone Preparedness Of Assam, Sikkim, Meghalaya
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has enquired about the preparedness of Assam, Sikkim and Meghalaya to tackle cyclone Yaas, reported news agency PTI. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma informed him that emergency services have been pressed into action. He said in a tweet that the cyclone is likely to affect the region on 26-27 May. For Assam and Meghalaya, the India Meteorological Department has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall on May 26-27.
