Cyclone Yaas: ‘Very Severe Cyclonic Storm’ May Cross WB, Odisha

India’s East Coast likely to be hit by a possible second cyclone

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After Cyclone Tauktae, now India’s east coast prepares for a possible second cyclone.

According to the MET department, the low pressure area over east-central Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a 'very severe cyclonic storm' and hit Bengal and Odisha’s by 26 May.

As per reports, Regional Meteorological Centre Director GK Das said that the wind speed is expected to reach 90-100 km per hour gusting to 110 kmph from May 26 forenoon along West Bengal, north Odisha and Bangladesh coasts.

If realised, the cyclone will be called ‘Yaas’, a name given by Oman.

Eleven NDRF teams have been deployed in west Bengal, the Navy has also been on standby ships and aircrafts.

Fishermen have also been advised against venturing into the sea from May 23 till further notice.

According to IMD, though light to moderate rainfall is expected at most places in the coastal districts, isolated places could witness heavy falls in the coastal districts of West Bengal from 25 May, with “significant increase in spatial extension and intensity subsequently over the districts of West Bengal”, ANI reported.

IMD has also warned that sea conditions will be rough to very rough over Andaman Sea and adjoining east central Bay of Bengal on 23 May.

They added that sea conditions will be high to very high over major parts of central Bay of Bengal from 24 to 26 May and into north Bay of Bengal and along and off Odisha – West Bengal coasts from 25 to 27 May.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee held a high-level meeting on Thursday, 20 May, with the Chief Secretary, Health Secretary, and disaster management authority over the possible cyclone that is likely to hit West Bengal coast by 26 May.

Odisha State Disaster Management Authority also announced on Thursday that Odisha’s Special Relief Commissioner PK Jena, convened a meeting with secretaries of all concerned departments, including Bhubaneswar Director of IMD, over the preparedness for the possible cyclone.