Cyclone Yaas has intensified into severe cyclonic storm. It is expected to make landfall early on Wednesday.

Disaster relief teams have already been deployed in West Bengal and Odisha, which will face the brunt.

Maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted distant warning signal number two, said a Met office bulletin Monday evening.

The cyclonic storm “YAAS” over the East Central Bay and adjoining area remained practically stationary over the same area.

It was centered at 6pm Monday about 655 kms south-southwest of Chattogram Port, 590 kms south-southwest of Cox’s Bazar Port, 630 kms south of Mongla Port and 585 kms south of Payra Port, according to the bulletin.

Maximum sustained wind speed within 54kms of the cyclone center is about 62 kph rising to 88 kph in gusts or squalls. Sea will remain very rough near the cyclone center.

All fishing boats and trawlers over the North Bay and deep sea have been advised to take shelter and remain in shelter till further notice.

According to Indian media, the states on India’s eastern coast are on alert ahead of the landfall of Cyclone Yaas, which has been brewing in the Bay of Bengal. It comes days after another powerful cyclonic storm Tauktae battered the country’s western coast and killed at least 140 people.

Cyclone Yaas, which intensified into severe cyclonic storm on Monday night, is expected to make landfall between Paradip and Sagar islands (in West Bengal) close to Balasore in Odisha early on Wednesday morning and could pack sustained winds of up to 165 kilometers per hour, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The IMD has predicted a tidal surge of 2-4.5 metres during the landfall of Yaas, according to officials. The massive storm comes as India is battling a second wave of Covid-19, complicating efforts to deal with both.