Cyclone Yaas ravages Odisha, Bengal

Cyclone Yaas has left a trail of destruction in Balasore and Bhadrak districts of Odisha. Worst-affected districts in Odisha on Wednesday were Balasore, Bhadrak, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara. In Bengal, South and North 24 Paraganas, Digha, East Medinipur and Nandigram were among the worst-hit. Thirteen low-lying parts of Kolkata were flooded. The severe cyclonic storm made landfall on Wednesday morning and continued to wreak havoc for a few hours. Trees, branches, thatched roofs were seen flying as the wind swept at 150 kmph.

As Cyclone Yaas made landfall in Balasore district, leaving behind a trail of devastation, flattening kuchha houses, uprooting trees and electric poles, causing rivers to swell. A man died in Odisha’s Keonjhar after a banyan tree branch fell on him as the wind and rain picked speed during the landfall. Teams of ODRAF, NDRF, Odisha Police, fire personnel and PWD swung into action once Cyclone Yaas landfall was complete. Rescue operations are still underway on a war-footing.

Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said one person died in Digha town - he was reportedly dragged out to sea when he tried to catch fish. Ms Banerjee said over 15 lakh people had been evacuated, three lakh houses damaged and 134 embankments destroyed. High tide in rivers had worsened the impact and an estimated one crore people had been affected, she said. The state has allotted relief material worth Rs 10 crore, the Chief Minister added. Villagers have been cautioned against going home, with weather reports still predicting strong wind and heavy rain.