As the fear of Cyclone Yaas is looming large, apprehending its intensity and damages, Baleswar, which is close to West Bengal, the district administration has geared up to combat the situation.
District Collector K Sudarshan Chakravarthy held an emergency meeting with senior officials and asked them to brace up to meet the eventualities if warranted. According to the IMD forecast, the Yass is likely to hit on May 26 with its landfall between Digha in Bengal and Baliapal, the north part of Baleswar district. Mainly, Bhograi, Jaleswar, Baliapal and Basta besides the Sadar areas of the district are likely to be affected with the impact of the cyclone.
Collector Chakravarthy asked the Block Development Officers to remain prepared to meet the challenges. In the district, there are 140 cyclone, flood and multipurpose shelter centres. The Collector asked the officials to lodge the evacuees in these centres whenever required. He checked positions and strengths of the NDRF, ODRAF and Fire Services personnel along with their boats and machineries. The electricity department was asked to remain prepared to restore power in case its supply is hit. Similarly, for supply of drinking water, the concerned officials were asked to make adequate preparation. The block-level officers were asked to be prepared to shift people following Covid protocol to shelyer centres and provide them cooked food and ensure supply of water and electricity to the centres.