Cyclone Yaas: Landfall on Wednesday, Kolkata Airport to be Shut
Catch all the updates on Cyclone Yaas here.
Cyclone Yaas is likely to make landfall near Dhamra Port in Odisha's Bhadrak district on Wednesday, 26 May, the India Meteorological Department has said.
It has intensified into a 'very severe cyclonic storm', and is likely to wreak maximum damage at Bhadrak's Chandrabali, IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
“Wind speeds will increase to 155-165 kmph, gusting to 185 kmph, over northwest Bay of Bengal, along and off north Odisha and adjoining West Bengal coasts during landfall,” the IMD said.
Flight operations at Kolkata airport will be suspended from 8:30 am till 7:45 pm on 26 May. Meanwhile, the Bhubaneswar airport will remain shut till 5 am on Thursday, the Airports Authority of India said.
- More than 9 lakh people have been evacuated in West Bengal, CM Mamata Banerjee said
- In Odisha, more than 3 lakh people have been evacuated from low-lying, vulnerable areas
- The Indian Army has deployed 17 integrated relief columns, comprising specialised personnel with necessary equipment and inflatable boats, in West Bengal
- West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said she will be at the secretariat on Tuesday night to monitor the situation
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Over 8 Lakh People Evacuated in West Bengal
As many as 8,09,830 people have been evacuated from low-lying areas in 14 districts of West Bengal, the NDRF said.
Meanwhile, in Odisha 1,55,129 people have been evacuated so far across seven districts. Meanwhile, operations have been suspended at Paradip Port.
Mamata Banerjee to Stay at Secretariat Tonight to Monitor Situation
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said she will be at the secretariat on Tuesday night to monitor the situation arising out of Cylone Yaas.
“I have spoken to all the district magistrates on Cyclone Yaas. I will stay in Nabanna tonight. I will monitor the situation closely,” she was quoted as saying.
Cyclone Yaas Turns Severe; 115 Teams Deployed in 5 States, 1 UT: NDRF DG
NDRF Director General SN Pradhan said on Tuesday that Cyclone Yaas has turned into a severe cyclonic storm, with the wind speeds expected to increase by the evening.
"It will further go up from 160-185 kmph tomorrow. NDRF has around 115 teams deployed in five states and one Union territory, including 52 in Odisha and 45 in West Bengal," he was quoted as saying by ANI.
Cyclone Yaas Likely to Make Landfall at Noon on Wednesday: IMD
The IMD said on Tuesday that Cyclone Yaas will reach northwest Bay of Bengal near the north Odisha coast, close to the Dhamra port, by Wednesday morning.
"The cyclonic storm is very likely to cross north Odisha-West Bengal coasts between Paradip and Sagar Island, close to north of Dhamra and south of Balasore, during noon of 26 May as a very severe cyclonic storm," the department said.
In Photos: States Make Preparations Ahead of Cyclone Yaas Landfall
Over 2.48 Lakh People Evacuated in Odisha
The Odisha government on Tuesday said it has evacuated 2,48,049 people from low-lying, vulnerable areas in 11 districts to safety in view of Cyclone Yaas.
"5,523 have been shelters opened. Fifty two teams of NDRF, 60 teams of ODRAF, 206 fire service teams and 86 wood cutting teams have been pre-positioned in 10 coastal and adjoining districts," it said.
Indian Army Deploys 17 Integrated Relief Columns in Bengal
The Indian Army has deployed 17 integrated relief columns, comprising specialised personnel with necessary equipment and inflatable boats, in West Bengal in view of Cyclone Yaas.
The columns are prepositioned at Purulia, Jhargram, Birbhum, Bardhaman, West Midnapur, Howrah, Hoogly, Nadia, North and South 24 Parganas, the Defence Ministry said.
Nine cyclone relief columns have also been kept on standby at Kolkata, for redeployment, as necessary in West Bengal, at a short notice, it added.
No Possibility of Amphan-Like Situation in Kolkata: Offical
There would be no possibility of an Amphan-like situation in Kolkata and it will experience a maximum windspeed of 65-75 kmph, gusting to 85 kmph, during landfall, a Regional Met Centre official was quoted as saying by PTI on Tuesday on the impact of Cyclone Yaas.
Houses and Electricity Polls Damaged in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas
Several houses were damaged in Naihati and Halisahar in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district due to strong winds on Tuesday, ANI reported, adding that electricity polls were also damaged and trees uprooted.
Eastern Railway Cancels Malda-Balurghat Passenger Special on 26 & 27 May
Eastern Railways has cancelled Malda-Balurghat Passenger Special on 26 and 27 May, in view of Cyclone Yaas.
IMD Issues Heavy Rainfall Warning in WB
The Indian Meteorological Department has issued heavy rainfall warning for West Bengal.
Severe Cyclonic Storm 'Yaas' Lay Centred Over Northwest Bay of Bengal at 5:30 PM: IMD
Severe Cyclonic Storm 'Yaas' lay centred at 5:30 pm on Tuesday over northwest Bay of Bengal, about 160 kms east southeast of Paradip (Odisha), 250 km south-southeast of Balasore (Odisha), 240 km south-southeast of Digha (West Bengal) and 230 km south of Sagar Islands (West Bengal), ANI quoted the IMD as saying.
Commissioner of Police Visits Coastal Villages Along Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh
In view of Cyclone 'Yaas', the Commissioner of Police visited coastal villages along the coast of Vizianagaram. The Commissioner also reportedly alerted the villagers, checked cyclone-shelters and asked fishermen not to venture into the sea.
CI Bhogapuram, SIs Marine Station, Bhogapuram, Pusapatirega and PSI Bhogapuram were present. Teams of Police, APSP and other Departnments, have also reportedly been deployed across the coastal villages.