As Cyclone Yaas looms, Centre directs 5 states to stock up health facilities before storm hits

The Union government has asked the states to ready essential medicines and supplies to meet any exigencies in the wake of the cyclone.

The Centre has asked Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to ensure that health facilities are stocked with essential medicines and supplies to meet any exigencies in the wake of Cyclone Yaas, which is expected to make landfall later this month.According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a low pressure area is forming over north Andaman Sea, which is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm by May 24, and is expected to move north-westwards and approach Odisha and West Bengal coasts around May 26.Apart from the impact of Cyclone Yaas in Odisha and West Bengal, there may be widespread rains in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as well as districts of the east coast, which may cause inland flooding, the IMD states. ALSO READ | Odisha gears up for cyclone Yaas, officials on alertUnion health secretary Rajesh Bhushan wrote to the chief secretaries of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Andaman and Nicobar Islands, saying the public health challenge posed by the Covid-19 pandemic may be compounded due to direct impact of the lethal virus and public health risks posed by water, vector and airborne diseases that may arise in the community or in displaced population living in camps or temporary shelters.Bhushan asked these states and union territories to activate the Health Sector Incident Command System and Emergency Operation Centre/Control Room, identify a nodal officer and convey his contact details to the Union health ministry. ALSO READ | Cyclones won't have any major impact on the onset of monsoon, say meteorologists