India starts evacuating people ahead of cyclone 'Yaas'

India today began evacuating thousands of people from low-lying coastal areas of four states along the Bay of Bengal and kept warships on standby as cyclone "Yaas" headed towards landfall on May 26 evening.  

The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) under the Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba met in New Delhi this afternoon to review the preparedness of governments agencies to deal with "Yaas" with top officials of West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh states and two union territories Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Puducherry, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

The officials said the evacuation of people from low-lying areas is being carried out. Adequate stocks of foodgrains, drinking water and other essential supplies have been arranged and preparations made to maintain essential services such as power and telecommunications.

The Director-General of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), briefed the committee about the latest status of the cyclone, which is expected to reach West Bengal and adjoining Odisha coasts by the evening of May 26 with wind speeds ranging from 155 to 165 km/ph, accompanied by heavy rainfall and storm surges in coastal districts of the two states.

National Disaster Relief Force has deployed 65 teams and 20 more teams are on standby. Rescue and relief teams of the Army, Navy and Coast Guard along with ships and aircraft have also been deployed.

Necessary arrangements are also being made to ensure uninterrupted functioning of hospitals and Covid care Centres, along with ensuring generation and supply of oxygen to Covid-19 facilities across the country.

Gauba stressed all measures should be taken promptly so that loss of life and destruction of property is minimized. He also stressed that the safety of Covid-19 patients be ensured and disruption of the functioning of Covid hospitals and centres avoided.

As part of the cyclone preparedness, four Indian naval ships are on standby with humanitarian assistance and disaster relief bricks, diving, and medical teams to render assistance in the most affected areas along with the Odisha and West Bengal coast.

Indian Naval aircraft are also kept ready to undertake an aerial survey of the most affected areas, casualty evacuation, and airdrop of relief material as required.