Cyclone ‘Yaas’ may hit Odisha-West Bengal coast Wednesday noon

Severe cyclonic storm “Yaas” may cross the North Odisha-West Bengal coast by tomorrow (Wednesday) noon with strong wind and heavy rainfall in Bangladesh, according to Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).

“The centre of this cyclone (Yaas) will not cross the coast of our country (Bangladesh). It will put impacts on our country,” BMD director Shamsuddin Ahmed told BSS this evening.

He said the cyclone is likely to cause severe loss and damage to the country (India) where it is going to landfall. “Our loss and damage will be less than that of India,” he added.

Shamsuddin said squally wind and heavy rainfall may occur in Bangladesh.

“Strong wind with speed up to 70-80 kph may flow in our country during the passage of the storm. Tide water may increase in the low-lying coastal areas of the country due to the influence of full moon,” he added.

Severe cyclonic storm “Yaas” over Northwest Bay and adjoining area moved northwestwards further and now lies over the same area, said a special bulletin of Met office.

It was centred at 12 pm today about 565 km southwest of Chattogram port, 525 km southwest of Cox’s Bazar, 455 km south-southwest of Mongla port and 445 km south-southwest of Payra port.

The cyclone is likely to move northwestwards further and may cross the West Bengal coast by Wednesday noon, the bulletin said.

Maximum sustained wind speed within 64 km of the severe cyclone centre is about 89 kph rising to 117 kph in gusts or squalls. Sea will remain high near the severe cyclone centre.

Maritime ports of Chattogram, Mongla, Payra and Cox’s Bazar have been asked to hoist distant warning signal number two.

The coastal districts of Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Barishal, Bhola, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur and Chattogram and their offshore islands and chars are likely to experience wind speed up to 80-100 kph in gusts or squalls with heavy to very heavy falls during the passage of the storm.

The low-lying areas of Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Jhalakati, Pirojpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Barishal, Bhola, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Feni, Chandpur and Chattogram are likely to be inundated by 2-4 feet height above normal tide due to the influence of the full moon phase.

All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay and deep sea have been asked to take shelter and remain in shelter till further notice.

Meanwhile, the government has taken all-out preparation to deal with cyclone ‘Yaas’.

Ensuring the health guidelines, shelter centres have been prepared to address the cyclone amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a handout said.

The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief said it has taken steps to take cent percent people of vulnerable areas to the shelter centres to minimise its consequences.

There are also isolation facilities for COVID-19 patients at the shelter centres. Strict measures have been taken to ensure that no coronavirus infected person comes in contact with general people. All necessary measures have been taken so that virus infection cannot spread from the centres.

A control room has been set up in the Local Government Division to coordinate with different departments and local government bodies of the government in dealing with the cyclone. Phone number of the control room is 9545415.

Besides, local public representatives and government officials have been asked to take overall preparations aiming to address the cyclone.

Source: BSS