Cyclone Yaas weakened into a 'severe cyclonic storm' hours after it made landfall south of Balasore in Odisha in the morning on Wednesday, 26 May,
The rainfall due to the cyclone will continue till Thursday, with fishermen advised not to venture into the sea till Thursday morning, senior scientist at the Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, Umashankar Das, was quoted as saying,
Flight operations at Kolkata airport are suspended from 8:30 am till 7:45 pm on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Bhubaneswar airport will remain shut till 5 am on Thursday, the Airports Authority of India said.
(Click here for all updates on Cyclone Yaas from 25 May.)
- In Odisha, more than 3 lakh people were evacuated from low-lying, vulnerable areas
- The Indian Army deployed 17 integrated relief columns, comprising specialised personnel with necessary equipment and inflatable boats, in West Bengal
- The West Bengal government evacuated around 15 lakh people to cyclone and relief shelters
- In Bengal, three lakh houses have suffered damage due to the rough weather condition
- West Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand are on high alert, while the coasts of Odisha and Bengal coasts are on red alert
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Cyclone Yaas: Mamata to Visit Affected Areas on Friday
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said that she will visit areas affected by the cyclone and high tide in Purba Medinipur, South and North 24 Parganas on Friday, according to PTI.
At least one crore people in West Bengal have been affected by rough weather conditions and high tide arising out of the cyclone, she said, adding that three lakh houses have suffered damage.
“We have sent relief worth Rs 1 crore to areas affected by cyclone and high tide,” she was quoted as saying.
Cyclone Yaas Completes Process of Landfall
Umashankar Das, Senior Scientist, Meteorological Centre Bhubaneswar on Wednesday said that Cyclone Yaas has completed the process of landfall.
“Rainfall will continue till tomorrow. Fishermen are advised not to venture till tomorrow morning because the condition of the sea will be rough,” he added, according to ANI.
Storm Triggered by Cyclone Yaas Causes Damage to Coastal Bengal
The storm surge triggered by Cyclone Yaas has inflicted heavy damage in the coastal and deltaic areas of West Bengal, chief minister Mamata Banerjee said on Wednesday.
“Because of the cyclone and the spring tide, the storm surge has caused extensive damage in the state. Several embankments have been breached. Water has gushed into many places at Digha, Shankharpur, Sagar, and Gosaba. Low lying areas have been flooded,” Banerjee reportedly said.
Water Enters Haldia Port in East Midnapore
According to reports, water has entered the Haldia port in West Bengal’s East Midnapore district due to Cyclone Yaas.