The Indian Meteorological Department on Monday informed that Cyclone Yaas is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm and will cross the coast of West Bengal and Odisha on May 26.

As per the IMD, cyclone Yaas might turn out to be a ‘very severe cyclonic storm’, which will make landfall between Paradip and Sagar island on May 26 with a speed of 155-165 kmph.

Also ReadCyclone Yaas likely to escalate into very severe cyclonic storm: IMD

Sandip Bandopadhyay, Deputy Director from Kolkata’s Regional Meteorological Department said that the cyclone Yaas is 670 km away from the coast of Digha in West Bengal and by Wednesday it will turn into a very severe cyclonic storm.

The official further added that to monitor the cyclone, the government of West Bengal has opened control rooms at the state secretariat Nabanna.

 Due to Cyclone Yaas, The Eastern Railway has suspended 25 trains between May 24 to May 29 and has also airlifted 950 NDRF personnel.

S. N Pradhan, NDRF Director-General said that “We already have 22 NDRF teams in Odisha and 10 more are being airlifted from other parts of the country as per the requisition made by the Odisha government”.

The department of MeT further added that there is a possibility that the speed and intensity of rain will increase with the heavy rainfall in Jhargha, Purba, Paschim Medinipur, Howrah, Kolkata, Hooghly, and North and South 24 Parganas.

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 a very heavy downpour at one or two places from May 25 owing to the system, the weatherman said.

Officials from the Odisha government informed that they have deployed a rescue team and are strategizing plans to rescue people from the vulnerable areas.

Due to the upcoming cyclone Yaas, the government of Odisha also relaxed the COVID-19 restrictions and allowed the shop to remain open from 7 am in the morning to 1 pm in the afternoon on May 24 and 25 so that people can stock up essentials before cyclone Yass hit the coast.

The state government has deployed National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), and Fire Services personnel anticipating maximum impact in Balasore and Bhadrak districts, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) P K Jena said.

IMD Director-General Dr. Mrutunjay Mohapatra, better known as the ‘Cyclone Man of India’, said, “Four coastal districts of Odisha — Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, and Jagatsinghpur — are likely to be most impacted by the cyclonic storm.” Mohapatra said that apart from wind blowing at 120-165 kmph velocity, Odisha will also experience heavy rain.