Cyclone Yaas intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm on Tuesday evening and is likely to make landfall near Dhamra Port in Odisha's Bhadrak district early on Wednesday morning, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. The NDRF said it has about 115 teams deployed in five states and one UT including 52 in Odisha and 45 in West Bengal. The wind speed is expected to reach up to 160-185 km/hr tomorrow, said NDRF DG SN Pradhan. Stay with TOI for all the latest updates.
03:17 (IST) May 26With some experts blaming global warming for fueling more intense cyclones in the oceans around India, authorities have increasingly relied on mass evacuations away from threatened coasts to keep down the loss of life from storms that in the past have left thousands dead.
03:15 (IST) May 26Amid fears that the cyclone could help spread the deadly coronavirus wave that has hit India in recent weeks, heavy rainfall lashed coastal villages and towns in the hours ahead of the arrival of Yaas.
03:13 (IST) May 26Cyclone Yaas is "very likely" to reach near north Odisha coast close to Bhadrak's Dhamra port by the early morning of May 26, informed India Meteorological Department (IMD).
01:00 (IST) May 26West Bengal: To monitor the cyclonic situation and relief work, chief minister Mamata Banerjee will stay at the state secretariat 'Nabanna' on May 25 and May 26.