Yaas may intensify into Very Severe Cyclonic Storm; Indian Naval Ships and Aircraft put on alert for rescue and relief operations

New Delhi: A low pressure area has formed over the East Central Bay of Bengal. According to the Indian Meteorological Department, it will intensify into a cyclonic storm by today and further into a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm thereafter. It is likely to cross West Bengal-North Odisha and Bangladesh coast by the 26th evening. Accordingly, all the coastal districts of Odisha are prepared with identification and cleaning up of cyclone shelters and evacuation plans.

Meanwhile, the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) under the chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba met yesterday to review the preparedness of Central and State Governments and agencies to deal with Cyclonic Storm ‘Yaas’ in the Bay of Bengal. Reviewing the preparedness of the Central and State agencies, he stressed that  all measures should be taken in a timely manner so that loss of lives and destruction of property is minimized.

Mr. Gauba also stressed that safety of COVID patients be ensured and disruption of functioning of COVID Hospitals and Centres avoided. Director General of the India Meteorological Department , briefed the committee about the latest status of the cyclone, which is expected to reach West Bengal and adjoining northern Odisha coasts by Wednesday evening with wind speeds ranging from 155 to 165 kilometres per hour.

The meeting was attended by Chief Secretaries and officers of West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Andaman & Nicobar and Puducherry. Secretaries of Ministries of Home, Power, Shipping, Telecom, Petroleum & Natural Gas, Civil Aviation, Fisheries, Chairman of Railway Board, Member-Secretary NDMA, IDS Chief  and DGs of Coast Guard, NDRF and IMD also participated in the meeting.