Cyclone ‘Yaas’ is all set to intensify into a severe cycloninc storm in the next 12 hours, prompting authorities to declare a yellow alert in both Odisha and West Bengal. The tropical storm is expected to make a landfall between Paradip and Sagar islands on May 26.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned light to moderate rainfall on May 24 and heavy to very heavy rainfall on May 25 in these states besides the north coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh.
“Gale winds speed reaching 65–75 kmph gusting to 85 kmph prevailing over Westcentral adjoining Eastcentral Bay of Bengal. It is very likely to increase further becoming Gale wind speed reaching 90 - 100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph over major parts of central Bay of Bengal by 24th evening and would decrease gradually from 25th Afternoon,” the IMD said in a statement.
Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea from May 24 to 26.
The system, which lay centred about 620 km south- southeast of Balasore and 610 km south-southeast of Digha in West Bengal over east central Bay of Bengal on Monday morning, will move in a north-northwestern direction, the IMD said.
"It is very likely to move north-northwestwards, intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm during next 12 hours and into a very severe cyclonic storm during subsequent 24 hours. It would continue to move north-northwestwards, intensify further and reach Northwest Bay of Bengal near north Odisha and West Bengal coasts by 26th May early morning," it said, adding that ‘Yaas’ is very likely to cross the coasts between Paradip and Sagar islands around noon of May 26 as a very severe cyclonic storm.
"Tidal waves of height 2-4 meters above astronomical tide are likely to inundate low lying coastal areas of Jhargram, south 24 Parganas, Medinipur, Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara & Jagatsighpur Districts around the time of landfall," the IMD further said.