Cyclone Yaas to cross Bengal coast on May 26

A low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a depression that will cross the West Bengal and Odisha coasts on May 26 as a “very severe cyclonic storm”, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Sunday.

The depression is expected to intensify into a cyclonic storm, “Yaas”, by Monday, it added.

“It (the depression) is very likely to move north-northwestwards and intensify into a cyclonic storm by 24th May morning and further into a very severe cyclonic storm during the subsequent 24 hours. It would continue to move north-northwestwards, intensify further and reach Northwest Bay of Bengal near West Bengal and north Odisha

coasts by 26th May morning,” Cyclone Warning Division of the IMD said.

The state governments as well as the Centre are preparing for the cyclone that will bring winds with a speed ranging 155-165 kmph and gusting to 185 kmph.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday called for a timely evacuation of those involved in offshore activities during a high-level meeting to review the preparedness of the state and central agencies to deal with the situation arising out of the Cyclone. He asked officials to work in close coordination with the states to ensure safe evacuation of people from the high-risk areas, a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office said. NEW DELHI: