Centre directs five states to stock up health facilities in wake of Cyclone Yaas

The Centre has asked Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to ensure that health facilities are stocked with essential medicines and supplies to meet any exigencies in the wake of Cyclone Yaas, which is expected to make landfall later this month.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a low pressure area is forming over north



Andaman Sea, which is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm by May 24, and is expected to move north-westwards and approach Odisha and West Bengal coasts around May 26.

Apart from the impact of Cyclone Yaas in Odisha and West Bengal, there may be widespread rains in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as well as districts of the east coast, which may cause inland flooding, the IMD states.