Cyclone Yaas: Rain lashes Odisha’s coastal districts as storm inches close, authorities take stock

The state has set a target of zero casualty as it braces for Yaas, categorised as a very severe cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 120-165 kmph.

As Cyclone Yaas approaches Odisha, the state’s coastal districts Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Balasore, Paradip and Bhadrak started receiving lashings of rain Monday afternoon. Significant Weather Features dated 24-05-2021 are:The northern limit of Southwest Monsoon continues to pass through 5°N/80°E, 10°N/85°E, 13°N/90°E and 16°N/94.5°E. Meanwhile, the state set a target of ‘zero casualty’ as it gears up for the probable landfall of cyclone Yaas, categorised as a very severe cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 120-165 kmph gusting up to 185 kmph, informed Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Odisha, Pradeep Kumar Jena. Odisha police ADG law and order Y K Jethwa visited Balasore and Bhadrakh districts and reviewed evacuation plans and preparedness for post-cyclone rescue and recovery operations. IG Eastern Range Diptesh Patnaik, Collector Balasore K Sudarshan Chakravorty and SP Balasore were present during the review.