Four dead, rescue underway to assists lakhs affected after Cyclone Yaas batters Bengal and Odisha

Packing up winds of up to 130-145 kmph, Cyclone 'Yaas' on Wednesday whiplashed the country's eastern coasts on Wednesday, dumping heavy rain in the region. The fierce effect of the cyclone led to damaged houses and farmlands, leaving at least four people dead - three in Odisha and one in Bengal. The cyclone made landfall around 9 am near Dhamra port in Odisha, with surging waters swamping the mud-and-thatch houses in the low-lying areas, where a massive evacuation drive has  been undertaken to move more than 20 lakh people to safety. 

A total of 113 teams of NDRF, the highest ever numbers of team for cyclones have been earmarked/deployed in five states and the UT as part of its preparation and response to the cyclone. Teams are constantly carrying out rescue and



restoration work post cyclone in coordination with state and district administration.

As cyclone hit land, rainfall in the region has led to inundation of low-lying areas. Many people, who were trapped, were rescued by the NDRF including an infant and a family of three, whose house was collapsed due to heavy rain in Odisha. While hundreds of stranded people were rescued from West Bengal, three persons were saved from drowning. NDRF has evacuated thousands of people to safer places in close coordination with local administration in both the states.

Lokh Sabha speaker urged MPs from Odisha, West Bengal and other states affected by cyclone ‘Yaas’ to help the people in this crisis and make efforts to alleviate their sufferings by providing support to them.