Indian Coast Guard personnel carry out rescue and relief work following Cyclone Yaas, in Odisha on Wednesday. (PTI)
As Cyclone Yaas made landfall in north Odisha around 10.30 am on Wednesday, strong winds and heavy tides lashed several coastal towns and villages on either sides of the Odisha-West Bengal border, inundating low-lying areas and uprooting trees, and claiming at least three lives — two in Odisha and one in West Bengal.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik conducted an aerial survey to assess the extent of damage in the state on Thursday. The cyclonic storm weakened into a deep depression over southern Jharkhand and adjoining Odisha, according to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). It is likely to move northwestward and gradually weaken into a depression later today, the IMD said.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said the world body was ready to assist the country in its relief efforts if it needed help. “From South Asia, which is being impacted currently by Tropical Cyclone Yaas, our humanitarian colleagues tell us that we have activated cyclone preparedness measures and prepositioned stocks of food and other items,” spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said. “The cyclone reached the Indian state of Odisha yesterday, with millions of people being evacuated by the Government ahead of the storm. UN agencies and our partners in India stand ready to support the response efforts if State authorities request it.”
