New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday chaired a high-level meeting today to review the preparedness of States and Central Ministries/Agencies concerned to deal with the situation arising out of Cyclone ‘Yaas’.India Meteorological Department (IMD) informed that Cyclone ‘Yaas’ is expected to cross West Bengal and north Odisha coasts by 26th May evening with the wind speed ranging 155- 165 kmph gusting to 185 kmph. It is likely to cause heavy rainfall in the coastal districts of West Bengal and north Odisha. IMD has also warned of a storm surge of about  2- 4m in coastal areas of West Bengal &Odisha. IMD has been issuing regular bulletins with the latest forecast to all the concerned states. Yesterday, the Cabinet Secretary also took a meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) on 22nd May, with Chief Secretaries of all the Coastal States and UTs and Central Ministries/Agencies concerned. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is reviewing the situation round the clock and is in touch with the State Governments/ UTs and the Central Agencies concerned. MHA has already released the first instalment of SDRF in advance to all States. NDRF has pre-positioned 46 teams that are equipped with boats, tree-cutters, telecom equipment, etc. in five States/UT. In addition, 13 teams are being airlifted today for deployment, and has kept 10 teams on standby.

Indian Coast Guard and the Navy have deployed ships and helicopters for relief, search and rescue operations. Air Force and Engineer task force units of Army, with boats and rescue equipment, are on standby for deployment. Seven ships with Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Units are on standby along the western coast. 

Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas has taken measures to secure all oil installations in the sea and to bring back their shipping vessels to safe harbor. Ministry of Power has activated emergency response systems and is keeping in readiness transformers, DG sets and equipment, etc. for immediate restoration of electricity. Ministry of Telecom is keeping all the telecom towers and exchanges under constant watch and is fully geared to restore the telecom network. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has issued advisory to the States/ UTs, likely to be affected, for health sector preparedness and response on COVID in affected areas. Ministry of Port, Shipping, and Waterways has taken measures to secure all shipping vessels and has deployed emergency vessels (Tugs).NDRF is assisting the State agencies in their preparedness for evacuating people from vulnerable locations and is also continuously holding community awareness campaign on how to deal with the cyclonic situation.