: Tuesday, May 25, 2021, 8:39 AM IST
Cyclone Yaas: Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik tells people in coastal areas to shift to shelter homes, wear double masks
Photo Credit: PTI
Bhubaneswar (Odisha): In view of the very severe cyclonic storm Yaas predicted to make landfall on the Odisha-West Bengal border on the eastern coast of the country, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik urged the people living in the coastal regions to cooperate with the local administration and shift to cyclone shelters.
Addressing the people of the state on Monday, the Chief Minister also asked them to adhere to COVID-19 protocols and wear two masks.
In view of the very severe cyclonic storm Yaas predicted to make landfall on the Odisha-West Bengal border on the eastern coast of the country, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik urged the people living in the coastal regions to cooperate with the local administration and shift to cyclone shelters. Addressing the people of the state on Monday, the Chief Minister also asked them to adhere to COVID-19 protocols and wear two masks. At a time when we are fighting with the COVID-19 pandemic, Cyclone Yaas is another challenge that we have to face. Last year in May, we had faced cyclone Amphan along with COVID-19 and with help of the people, it was well managed. This time, too, we will all work in tandem to combat the calamity and the pandemic, Patnaik said.
Neighbouring Jharkhand has also sounded an alert and is preparing for the cyclone s impact.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said that her administration has evacuated over nine lakh people to safe shelters. The Odisha government, on the other hand, said it has moved over 2 lakh people from vulnerable areas in coastal districts to safety. IMD Director General Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said that Yaas is likely to intensify into a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS) by Tuesday evening. He said the cyclone s impact will be severe for six hours before and after the landfall and Chandbali will witness the maximum damage.
Cyclone Yaas 2021: IMD Issues Red Alert In 4 Districts In Odisha May 25, 2021, 15:30 IST
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings for extremely heavy rains in several districts of Odisha ahead of Cyclone Yaas landfall. A red alert was issued and Dhamra and Paradip ports have the highest danger warning, said IMD Bhubaneswar.
IMD issued an orange alert for Tuesday in Mayurbhanj, Jaipur, Cuttack, Khorda and Puri as the weather department predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall.
Wind speeds of 150-160 kmph gusting 180kmph are expected as Cyclone Yaas, which is brewing in the Bay of Bengal, may make landfall by the afternoon on Wednesday, IMD said.
Rescue and relief workers prepare to leave for vulnerable zones in Bhubaneswar on Monday
BHUBANESWAR: Much water has flown down the bridge since 1999 when the Super Cyclone devastated the disaster-prone Odisha and exposed its inept handling of natural calamities. Over the years, the state’s disaster management module has come of age and the government is gearing up to brace Cyclone Yaas this time.
Like the previous years, the government has taken a pledge of ensuring zero casualty and is relying heavily on its two specialized wings the Odisha Fire Service and the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) to achieve the target. Both the wings have earned accolades for their deft handling of pre and post-disaster evacuation, rescue and restoration operations in the past.