Cyclone Yaas: How the country is getting ready for another cyclonic storm

Cyclone Yaas has evolved into a 'cyclonic storm' after it formed in the low-pressure area over the east-central region of the Bay of Bengal on May 22. As per the earth science ministry, the cyclone has concentrated into a depression over east-central Bay of Bengal and lay centred at about 560 km north-northwest of Port Blair (Andaman Islands), 590 km east-southeast of Paradip (Odisha), 690 km south-southeast of Balasore (Odisha) and 670 km south-southeast of Digha (West Bengal). "It is very likely to move slowly north-northwestwards, intensify further into a Severe Cyclonic Storm during next 24 hours and into a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm during subsequent 24 hours," the IMD bulletin said.

Here's what we know so far.

Wind warnings upgraded

IMD regional scientist Uma Shankar Das has said, "We are expecting a very severe cyclonic storm. We have upgraded the port warning particularly for Paradip and Dhamra in Odisha." Wind warnings for the most affected districts -- Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Balasore and Bhadrak -- have been upgraded. The wind speed will be around 150-160 kmph, gusting up to 180 kmph during the landfall of Cyclone Yaas.

Light to moderate rainfall in these places

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 downpours in one or two places from May 25 owing to the intensifying Cyclone Yaas.

Possibility of extremely heavy rainfall in these areas

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 in West Bengal, according to the MeT Department.

Areas likely to be most impacted

Four coastal districts of Odisha -- Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur -- are likely to be most impacted by Cyclone Yaas, IMD Director General Dr Mrutunjay Mohapatra said. Apart from wind blowing at 120-165 kmph velocity, Odisha will also experience heavy rain.

Evacuation of residents living in low-lying areas

Residents of low-lying areas will be evacuated to safer places as they are likely to get inundated due to heavy rains triggered by Cyclone Yaas. The Global Forecast System shows Cyclone Yaas landfall between Rajnagar (Kendrapada) and Dhamra (Bhadrak) in Odisha. Cyclone Yaas landfall will happen on May 26 morning in West Bengal, bordering Balasore, according to INCOIS under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.

Dealing with Cyclone Yaas

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has kept 11 transport aircraft and 25 helicopters ready to carry out humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations as part of preparations to deal with the situation arising out of Cyclone Yaas, officials said on Sunday.

More measures

The IAF airlifted 21 tonnes of relief materials and 334 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel to Kolkata and Port Blair from three different places on Sunday as the government initiated a series of measures to tackle the cyclone that is brewing in the Bay of Bengal, they said.

PM Modi reviews preparations for Cyclone Yaas

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has held a meeting with representatives from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), secretaries from telecom, power, civil aviation, earth sciences ministries to review preparations against approaching Cyclone Yaas.

CM Mamata Banerjee monitors the situation

The West Bengal government has taken all precautionary measures to deal with Cyclone Yaas, likely to hit the state on May 26, and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will stay at a control room set up for the purpose to monitor the situation, officials have said.
Mamata Banerjee, who held a high-level meeting at the state secretariat during the day, said that relief materials were dispatched to vulnerable areas, while officials were directed for early evacuation of people from coastal and riverine areas.