With effective management of Cyclone Yaas, Odisha proves why it is numero uno in taming natural disasters

It's been 21 years since super cyclone hit Odisha, resulting in the death of over 10,000 people. Now in 2021, Cyclone Yaas has hit the state but due its robust evacuation mechanism and preparedness, Odisha has managed to contain the damage by a definitive margin.

It was the year 1999 when a super cyclone had ravaged parts of Odisha, accounting for the lives of over 10,000 people. The 1999 super cyclone ranks among the worst natural disasters in India. Now, in May 2021, another super cyclone, Cyclone Yaas, has hit the state but due to its robust evacuation mechanism and preparedness, Odisha has managed to contain the damage by a definitive margin. Cyclone Yaas made landfall in Odisha on May 26 between the north of Dhamra coast in Bhadrak district and Bahanga coast in Balasore district. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the cyclonic storm has weakened into a deep depression over southern Jharkhand and Odisha late on Thursday. So far, only three deaths have been reported due to the cyclone -- two in Odisha and one in West Bengal. In the last 30 months, Odisha has faced as many as six cyclones but the death toll has never exceeded a single digit. Odisha Special Relief Commissioner P K Jena told India Today the only difference the state has made in the last 20 years is 'preparedness'.