Bhubaneswar/ New Delhi: The very severe cyclonic storm 'Yaas' has crossed north Odisha coast at 20 km south of Balasore between 10 and 11.30AM today.
IMD DG Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said “The sustained wind speed was 130-140 kmph gusting upto 150 kmph while it crossed the coast. After hitting the coast, it moved in north-northwestwards and lay centred 15 km south-southwest from Balasore. It is currently moving in north-northwest direction and will weaken further in next three hours. ”
At present, the wind speed is 120-130 kmph gusting up to 145 kmph. The wind speed would decrease further to 90-100 kmph over Mayurbhanj district after the phenomenon weakened, he added.
The system will weaken into cyclonic storm in subsequent six hours. At that time, the wind speed will remain 60-70 kmph gusting upto 80kmph. It will reach Jharkhand by tomorrow morning as a deep depression, Mohapatra pointed out.
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Under the influence of the cyclone, heavy to very heavy rainfall has been recorded in coastal districts of the State. The rainfall activities are expected to continue today in coastal districts. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is predicted in interior districts in next 12 hours, he said.
Aboit two metre high tidal waves are expected in the sea at Balasore and Bhadrak of Odisha, Medinapur and 24 Praganas (West Bengal), the IMD chief maintained.
On the other hand, the State Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) PK Jena said there are no major damages reported anywhere in the State.
“Barring a few incidents of damages, no big losses have been reported from anywhere in the affected regions."
Two persons were reportedly killed after they came under uprooted trees in Balasore and Keonjhar districts. The cases are being investigated, the SRC added.
He further said high tidal waves inundated many low lying areas in Bahanaga, Remuna, Balasore sadar and Dhamra. Several places have also been water logged due to incessant rain. Major damages to big trees have been reported from Nilagiri area in Balasore district, Jena informed.
Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur districts reported no such major losses unlike Balasore and Bhadrak due to the cyclonic storm, the SRC maintained.
Flash flood-like situation arouse at some places due to water logging even as the water level in various rivers in north Odisha remained below danger mark.
Chances of flash flood are high in Budhabalanga river due to heavy rainfall in Similipal region, he said.
Keeping in mind the possibilities of flash flood, the Mayurbhanj district administration has evacuated people from vulnerable and low lying areas as a precautionary measure, the SRC added.