News from Kendrapara. Odisha

The single-day spike in Covid-19 cases in the State witnessed a drastic fall with only 6,736 people testing positive for the virus in last 24 hours even as there is no break in the rising cases of fatalities.

The CM also directed officials to clear the major roads for smooth transportation in the next 24 hours and 80% restoration of electricity supply in the affected districts in the next 24 hours. 

Odisha touched a new height in daily cases of fatalities due to Covid-19 since the onset of pandemic with 35 more patients succumbing to the deadly virus in last 24 hours even as the single-day spike once again crossed 11,000 mark during the period.

The very severe cyclonic storm 'Yaas' has crossed north Odisha coast at 20 km south of Balasore between 10 and 11.30AM  today.

Very severe cyclonic storm Cyclone ‘Yaas’ started processing for landfall at around 9 am, which will continue till next three hours for completion.

The landfall process has started and the process will take nearly 3-4 hrs, as Yaas is not a fast-moving cyclone. The motion will reduce to half when it touches Odisha landmass.

The Director-General of India Meteorological Department Mrutyunjay Mohapatra has informed that the Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Yaas has made landfall on Odisha coast between north of Dhamra and south of Balasore at around 9 am today.

Earlier today the well known cyclone prediction centre has made a forecast that Cyclone Yaas will be making landfall near Bhitarkanika National Park.

Move over Covid-19; Cyclone ‘Yaas’ is here! With the ‘very severe cyclonic storm’ in the Bay of Bengal all set to wreak havoc on the northern coast, Corona has expectedly taken a backseat in the state.

Currently, Cyclone Yaas is having marginally unfavorable vertical wind shear. However, just prior to landfall, wind shear will turn supportive and Yaas to attain peak intensity

As many as four coastal districts- Kendrapara, Jagatisnghpur, Bhadrak and Balasore have been put on high risk zone as the State government braces to tackle the impact of impending Cyclone ‘Yaas’ which is threatening to cause large scale destruction in the coastal belt of the State during landfall on May 26 morning.

Cyclone Yaas is likely to hit Odisha's coastline between Balasore and Bhadrak district somewhere near Dhamra, the Director-General of India Meteorological Department Mrutyunjay Mohapatra informed OTV. The storm will turn into a very severe cyclonic storm before making landfall around the forenoon of May 26.

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.

As many as 52 NDRF teams will be pressed into service in post cyclone rescue and relief operations. 22 teams have already arrived while 30 more will reach the State by tonight.

Coastal districts in the northern parts of the State including  Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Balasore and Bhadrak are most likely bear the brunt of cyclone ‘Yaas’ which is likely to hit the coasts between North Odisha and West Bengal on May 26 noon.