Bhubaneswar: The cyclonic storm over east-central Bay of Bengal intensified into a severe cyclonic storm late on Monday night. It will intensify further and transform into very severe category storm in next 12 hours.
The regional weather department, in its latest twitter post, stated “ Cyclonic storm ‘Yaas’ (pronounced as (Yass) over East-central Bay of Bengal intensified into a severe cyclonic storm.”
It is moving in North-northwestward direction at a speed of 09kmph during past six hours. It remained about 360 km south-southeast of Paradip and 460km south-southeast of Balasore."
“The phenomenon is very likely to move north-northwestwards, intensify further into a very severe cyclonic storm during next 12 hours,” it stated further.
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The impact of the cyclonic storm has begun to show in coastal districts and adjoining areas in the State as many parts have started experiencing mild to moderate rain and wind activities since Monday night.
State Capital Bhubaneswar and Cuttack along with coastal districts like Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Balasore, Bhadrak and adjoining areas like Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj district experienced mild downpour last night.
Paradip has recorded maximum 151.5mm rainfall since lsast night while Chandabali (Bhadrak) registered 97 mm rain. Similarly, Puri reported 40 mm downpour under the influence of cyclonic storm, Weather expert Umashankar Dash said.
The intensity of the rainfall will go up in next few hours as the cyclone is approaching the coast, he added.
The regional Met centre also tweeted regarding the rainfall in the Capital city. “It is 3.32AM. Severe cyclonic storm ‘Yaas’ pouring waters into the streets of Capital city Bhubaneswar. Rain started since 3.00 AM,” it stated.
As per its earlier prediction, the cyclone is likely to hit coasts between Paradip and Sagardwip on May 26.
On the other hand, the State government has braced to tackle the impending cyclone with adequate measures for post-relief operation.
The Collectors of most sensitive districts-like Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Balasore, Bhadrak have already started evacuating people residing in vulnerable places to cyclone centres.
The evacuation process will be completed by this afternoon, officials said.
Adequate number of disaster management teams including NDRF, ODRAF, fire services have been kept prepared to meet any eventuality.
As many as 52 NDRF teams, 50 to 60 ODRAF Teams and 175 to 200 fire teams have been dispatched to their respective assigned locations. The teams will work in rescue and relief operations, Special Relief Commissioner PK Jena said on Monday.