Yaas has made landfall close to coastal districts of the Indian state of Odisha as the ‘very severe cyclonic storm’ approaches Bangladesh coastal areas.
The landfall hit coastal areas of Odisha at 9:30pm on Wednesday, said India Meteorological Department, adding that the landfall can take several hours to complete.
Wind speeds ranging between 140 and 155 km are being reported from the Indian coastal districts.
Meanwhile, a special weather bulletin of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said Yaas had turned into a "severe cyclonic storm", and closing in the coastal areas of Bangladesh as it was centred about 515km west of Chattogram port, 510km west of Cox’s Bazar port, 305km west-southwest of Mongla port and 350km west-southwest of Payra port at 6.00am on Wednesday.
The maximum sustained wind speed with 84km of the very severe cyclonic centre is about 130kph rising to 150kph in gusts. Sea will remain very high near the very severe cyclonic centre, the Met Office said.
Maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted local cautionary signal number 3.
Under the influence of very severe cyclone, the districts of Khulna, Sathkhira, Bagerhat, Jhalokathi, Pirojpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Barishal, Bhola, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur, and Chattogram and their offshore island and chars are likely to experience wind speed up to 80-100kph in gusts or squalls with heavy to very heavy falls during the passage of the storm, said the forecast.
The BMD advised all fishing boats and trawlers over the north bay and the deep sea to remain in shelter till further notice.
On the other hand, the Airports Authority of India said on Tuesday Bhubaneswar airport will remain shut till 5 am on Thursday. Flight operations at Kolkata airport will be suspended 12 hours on Wednesday, according to an NDTV report.
An official said over 3 lakh people have been evacuated from low-lying areas in Odisha. Cyclone Yaas has already caused two deaths and damage to homes as severe weather and rains affect Odisha and West Bengal.
