Cyclone Yaas to hit coastal regions of West Bengal, Odisha by May 26

As the western coast of India recovers from Cyclone Tauktae, another one brewing over the Bay of Bengal called Cyclone Yaas that would be affecting the coastal regions of West Bengal and Odisha.

The new cyclone will also bring the crucial southwest monsoon winds along with it to the Andaman Sea by May 21, the first major milestone in its progress towards the country.

As a rule-of-thumb, the monsoon makes its onset over Kerala roughly ten days after it makes its advent over the south Andaman Sea. However, due to the interference of cyclonic storms, this theory may not hold true, as was observed last year due to Nisarga and Amphan.


The Cyclone Yaas weather system is likely to hit the eastern or the Coromandel coast of the country on the evening of May 26, the India Meteorological Department said in its tropical cyclone outlook.

"A low-pressure area is very likely to form over north Andaman Sea and adjoining east central BOB around 22nd May, 2021. It is very likely to intensify gradually into a cyclonic storm during the subsequent 72 hours," said Sunitha Devi, scientist at IMD.
"It is very likely to move northwestwards and reach West Bengal and Odisha coasts around 26th May evening," she added.

While Indian seas are no strangers to cyclones — Indian seas see six cyclones on an average each year — the unpredictable and rapid intensification remains a huge cause for concern. As of Wednesday, as many as 45 lives were lost due to Cyclone Tauktae in Gujarat according to the state government while 18 died in Maharashtra, reports said.