Thousands evacuated in India as strong Cyclone Yaas inches closer

Yaas, set to turn into ‘very severe cyclonic storm’, expected to make landfall on Wednesday in Odisha and West Bengal.

Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated in low-lying areas of two Indian states and moved to cyclone shelters to escape a powerful storm barreling towards the eastern coast. Cyclone Yaas is set to turn into a “very severe cyclonic storm” with sustained wind speeds of up to 177 kilometres (110 miles) per hour, the India Meteorological Department said on Tuesday. The cyclone is expected to make landfall early on Wednesday in Odisha and West Bengal states.