News from Odisha

Cyclonic storm Yaas has turned into a 'Very Severe Cyclonic Storm' and is currently moving at a speed of about 15kmph in the sea, informed the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).

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.

The move is aimed at assessing the performance of public health facilities in terms of their functioning and quality of care and creating a healthy competitive spirit among them.

In view of the public health challenges that have been compounded owing to the recent resurgence of COVID-19 in the State, the Health Department in Odisha issued protective measures for mental health hostels, short stay homes, orphanages, child health care homes in the State on Tuesday.

At a time when the State machinery is busy in evacuating people from the line of fire of Cyclone Yaas, allegations of mismanagement at a cyclone shelter in Baunshagadia village under Balasore’s Bahanaga block dampened the spirit of other people who wanted to shift to shelter points.

The maximum number of 74,132 people have been shifted in Balasore district, followed by 73,103 from Bhadrak and 41.685 from Kendrapara

A fire broke out at a market complex in the Budharaja area of Sambalpur on Tuesday triggering panic.

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

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has earmarked its highest-ever number of teams for deployment in Odisha and West Bengal as part of its preparations for the impending cyclone Yaas, a senior officer said on Tuesday.

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.

The University Grants Commission has invited online applications from Indian nationals for fresh vacancies to the post of Consultant (International Cooperation) and Consultant (NEP). The UGC has asked interested candidates to apply with relevant documents in online mode by visiting www.ugc.ac.in/jobs.

With a view to instill confidence and social security among the Anganwadi workers, supervisors and helpers engaged in Covid-19 duty, the State government on Tuesday announced a financial assistance of Rs 50 lakh for the kin of these frontline warriors in case of death due to the contagious virus in the line of duty.

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 daily spike in Covid-19 cases saw a marginal dip in Odisha as the State reported a total of 10939 virus infections in the last 24 hours. The addition of the new positives takes the cumulative Covid tally to 714380. With 11614 recoveries reported late on Monday, the total number of recovered cases has risen to 601224. The active Coronavirus cases meanwhile have surged to 110554.

As the severe cyclonic storm is fast approaching the coast, which is likely to make landfall between North Odisha and West Bengal tomorrow, the government has started evacuating people from vulnerable areas to safe places in sensitive districts with taking measures for rescue, relief and restoration works.