Bhubaneawar, May 26: The ‘Very Severe Cyclonic Storm’ Yaas, which made landfall in Odisha on Wednesday morning, crossed north Odisha coast about 20 km south of Balasore during 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM with an estimated wind speed of 130-140 kmph, gusting to 150 kmph, said the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
“Very severe cyclonic storm #Yass crossed north #Odisha coast about 20km south of #Balasore during 1030 to 1130 hours IST of today with estimated wind speed of 130-140KMPH gusting to 155KMPH,” said the IMD.
After crossing the north Odisha coast, it weekend into severe cyclonic storm and lay centred about 15 KM west-southwest of Balasore.
“The very severe cyclonic storm #Yass weakened into severe cyclonic storm and lay centred at 12.30 PM over north coastal #Odisha near latitude 21.45°N and longitude 86.8°E, about 15 KM west-southwest of Balasore,” the IMD stated.
“Cyclone Yaas has completed the process of landfall. Rainfall will continue till tomorrow. Fishermen are advised not to venture till tomorrow morning because the sea condition going to be rough,” said Umashankar Das, Senior Scientist, Meteorological Centre Bhubaneswar to ANI.
Odisha’s Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) PK Jena said, “The sea will remain rough till Thursday and the accompanying rain will continue. The wind will slow down by the evening and the cyclone is likely to leave Odisha for Jharkhand by midnight.”
The Meterorogical Department has predicted very heavy rain over the districts Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Balasore, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Keojhargharh and heavy showers over Puri, Khurda, Angul, Deogarh, Sundergarh districts of Odisha on Wednesday.
Over 5 lakh people have been evacuated from low-lying areas in Odisha.