Govt sets up control room to tackle cyclone YAAS

The Water Resources Ministry has set up a control room to monitor the forecasted cyclone ‘YAAS’ and collect information about it, which is likely to cross West Bengal and north Odisha, India coasts by May 26 evening.

The phone number of the control room is 01318234560, an official release signed by the ministry’s deputy secretary SM Sarwar Kamal has said.

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) on Sunday said the well-marked low over the East-Central Bay and adjoining area concentrated into a depression over the same area, reports BSS.

The low was centred at 12 noon on Sunday about 700 kms south- southwest of Chattogram Port, 625 kms south- southeast of Cox’s Bazer Port, 710 kms south of Mongla Port and 655 kms south of Payra Port, according to the release.

It is likely to intensify further into a deep depression, then into a cyclonic storm and move in a northwesterly direction.

Maximum sustained wind speed within 44 kms of the depression centre is about 40 kph rising to 50 kph in gusts or squalls while the sea will remain moderate.

Maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted distant cautionary signal number one.

All fishing boats and trawlers over the North Bay and deep sea have been advised to come close to the coast and proceed with caution. They are also advised not to venture into the deep sea.