TRACKING YAAS

Cyclone Yaas, the second storm to hit India in less than two weeks, intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm on Tuesday, as it barrelled towards the country’s eastern coast

LANDFALL AND IMPACT ZONE

Yaas is likely to make landfall near Dhamra Port in Odisha’s Bhadrak district early on Wednesday morning, according to the India Meteorological Department. It is set to cross north Odisha-West Bengal coasts between Paradip and Sagar Island close to north of Dhamra and south of Balasore around noon on Wednesday as a very severe cyclonic storm

BEARING THE BRUNT

Odisha is anticipated to bear the maximum brunt of wind and rainfall with some impact on West Bengal, primarily driven by surge and rainfall-induced floods, particularly in the coastal districts. Additionally, very rough to high seas, squally weather and gale winds around the system centre will affect shipping vessels and fishing operations, RMSI, a global disaster risk management company has said

“Four districts – Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak and Balasore – are likely bear the worst impacts. So these districts are being prioritised. Even after landfall, Yaas will maintain the intensity of a cyclone for about 12 to 18 hours before it degenerates.” — M MOHAPATRA, director general, IMD