Cyclonic storm Yass is likely to make a landfall along Bengal-Odisha coastline on May 26 morning, as per IMD reports.
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, in a high-level meeting, has asked all the concerned departments to work round the clock and evacuate people from the possible path of the storm.
“The state has also set-up a control room to monitor the whole situation”, she said.
"I have extensively reviewed the Disaster Management preparedness with regard to the impending Yaas cyclone with all senior officers of relevant Central and State agencies along with DMs & SPs. All officials have been advised integrated command, advance planning and early evacuation from coastal & riverine areas to rescue shelters including cyclone & flood shelters, and to conduct relief and rehabilitation operations at the earliest," the chief minister said.
"Fishermen have been alerted to immediately return. 24x7 control rooms have been set up (Ph No - 1070 & 033-22143526). All agencies have been asked to spring into action. Relief materials have been dispatched & Quick Response Teams are mobilised. I request all to stay alert," she added.
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"We have received an alert from the weather office. The chief secretary held a meeting on Friday following which a meeting was held at our department. We have taken some decisions today. Learning from last time's experience we have come up with a comprehensive plan this time at the micro level so as to ensure immediate repair and restoration work," said power minister Aroop Biswas.
Six districts that have been identified to be at high risk of devastation by the cyclone are namely North and South 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hooghly and East and West Midnapore.
A control room has been set up in the power department that will function 24x7 from May 25. The contact numbers for the control room are 8900793503 and 8900793504. The minister along with additional chief secretary, MD of state power Distribution Corporation and chief engineer distribution would be present at the control room on May 25 and 26 for closely monitoring the situation.
The district administrations of South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore are taking all possible measures to minimise damages caused by the cyclonic storm Yass that is expected to reach North Bay of Bengal near West Bengal and adjoining North Odisha & Bangladesh Coasts on May 26.
"We have laid special emphasis upon the fact that the COVID hospitals or safe homes are not disturbed by any means due to the cyclone. Arrangements of generators, oxygen, medicines, Covid materials and ambulances have been made," a senior district official said.
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In the coastal areas like Digha, Mandarmani, Tajpur, Ramangar etc in East Midnapore, the district administration has taken measures to shift residents of kaccha houses to cyclone centres or school buildings.
"Before onset of the Cyclone, all port vessels will be taken inside the dock for shelter. No ships will be kept in river anchorages or jetties," a senior SMP official said.