Cyclone Yaas approaching: Andaman witnesses strong wind and heavy rain, 1 die

Several incidents of uprooting of trees, falling trees on houses have been reported from South Andaman and Middle Andaman region, in one incident a class XI student died when a massive tree fell on his house at Chouldari village of South Andaman due to cyclonic weather.

According to Andaman’s State Control Room, latest satellite imageries and Ocean Buoy observations indicate that yesterday's low-pressure area which became well marked over east-central Bay of Bengal in the same evening has concentrated into a depression over east-central Bay of Bengal and lay centred at 1130 hrs IST of today, the 23rd May, 2021 near latitude 16.1°N and longitude 90.2°E, about 560 KM north north-west of Port Blair (A & N Islands)

“It is very likely to move north-north-westwards and intensity into a Cyclonic Storm by 24th May morning and further into a very Severe Cyclonic Storm during the subsequent 24 hours. It would continue to move north-northwestwards, intensity further and reach Northwest Bay of Bengal near West Bengal and north Odisha coasts by 26th May morning. It is very likely to cross north Odisha - West Bengal between Paradip and Sagar islands by the evening of 26th May as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm,” a release issued by Andaman’s Disaster Manager Department said here today.

Meanwhile, the North and Middle Andaman District is on alert following threats from Cyclone weather and several teams have been formed to face the situation.

“Altogether 28 areas low lying areas have been identified, where waterlogging is possible and rescue shelters have also been identified in nearby schools. Other than this, the National Highway team have been asked to remain on high alert and the strategic team has been asked to remain in 24 X 7 watch so that due to heavy rain and overflowing of any culvert, the movement of vehicles on Andaman Trunk Road, the life-line, is not hampered,” Dr. Angel Bhati Chauhan the Deputy Commissioner of North and Middle Andaman told media persons today.

Meanwhile, with the help of the Coast Guard almost all fishermen have been brought back to shore and they have been advised not to venture into the sea for the next few days.