The State Government is well-prepared to face the possible cyclonic storm ‘Yaas’ brewing over the Bay of Bengal, said Special Relief Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Jena on Thursday.
All the departments including energy and panchayati raj have been asked to remain ready with machineries and manpower to face the likely natural disaster.Addressing media after a high-level meeting with all departmental authorities on Cyclone Yaas, Jena said the State administration is ready to tackle all possible situations.
As per the India Meteorological Department, a low pressure area is likely to form over north Andaman Sea and adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal around May 22. It is likely to intensify into a depression around May 23 and a cyclonic storm by May 24. It is likely to move northwestwards and reach the Odisha-West Bengal coasts around May 26 morning.
“As of now, though nothing is clear about the cyclonic storm and where it will hit, we will expedite actions as per the IMD prediction,” the SRC said.
Jena said that discussions have been held with the Collectors and the SPs of coastal districts regarding preparedness for the possible cyclone.The SRC appealed to people not to panic over the cyclone predictions.
The IMD said that most models indicate intensification of the system up to the “Severe Cyclonic Storm” category.The wind speed is very likely to increase to 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph from May 23 and to further become a gale during May 24 to 26 over major parts of central Bay of Bengal and into north Bay of Bengal and along and off the Odisha-West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts during May 25 to 27.