Cyclone Yaas hits West Bengal and Odhisa with several damages and heavy rainfall. The Odisha government launched a massive evacuation drive to save people from the fury of Cyclone Yaas, many people in the coastal districts of Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur are reluctant to move to government shelters as they are scared of catching coronavirus, an official said.
It is an enormous challenge for safeguarding people this time amid the raging pandemic, the official said.
Cyclone Yaas
Cyclone Yaas is nearing the country’s east coast, days after deadly cyclone, Tauktae, hit its west coast. ‘”Yaas” is likely to intensify into a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS) by Tuesday evening, said the weather office earlier today. It will make landfall between Dhamra Port and Balasore on the Odisha coast Tuesday noon, with wind speed of upto 185 km per hour. It is expected to pass over Bengal too. Neighbouring Jharkhand has also sounded an alert and is preparing for the cyclone’s impact.
Authorities have been moving people from low-lying coastal areas in Bengal and Odisha to shelters at government buildings, schools, and other sturdy structures. Pregnant women and children were sent to government hospitals, as fishermen shifted boats to safety inland.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) Director General Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said the cyclone’s impact will be severe for six hours before and after the landfall and Chandbali in Odisha will witness the maximum damage.
Image: The Financial Express
Source: NDTV & India Today
