Cyclone Yaas likely to make a landfall on May 26: What we know so far

A week after Cyclone Tautake, the country will be hit by another cyclonic storm likely on May 26. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Yaas will intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm and cross the Odisha and the West Bengal coasts on May 26.

Here is what we know so far:

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has asked officials to evacuate people from low-lying areas.

Also read: The different categories of Tropical Cyclone

PM Narendra Modi attended a meeting with senior officials and representatives from National Disaster Management Authority, Secretaries from Telecom, Power, Civil aviation, Earth Sciences Ministries reviewing preparations against approaching Cyclone Yaas.

Odisha has placed 14 districts, including Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur, on alert.

Also read: A look at the major tropical cyclones over past two decades

Cyclonic storm to intensify by May 24 and reach north Odisha, West Bengal and Bangladesh coast on May 26, said deputy director of IMD Bhubaneswar.

The state has 17 NDRF teams, 20 ODRAF and around 150 Fire Services groups on alert.

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Steps are being taken to admit pregnant women, whose expected delivery is in the next two weeks, to government hospitals.