Yaas signals reduced risk in Bangladesh

Cyclone 'YAAS', which has been moving to the west and northwestern direction, has made an indication that it is most likely to make landfall on India's Odisha coast on 26 May reducing the possible risk of devastation in Bangladesh.

"As per the current course of the cyclonic storm it is going to make landfall at Odisha coast; 350 kilometers away from Bangladesh coast" said Dr Enamur Rahman, state minister for the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, after a meeting with the high officials from Bangladesh Meteorological Department, Fire service and Civil Defense, Ministry of Local government and Rural Development.

The state minister said, "We are closely monitoring the direction of the cyclone as well as the preparations at the field level.  We are blessed that the direction of the storm is not towards us."

"All the coastal people were made aware of the cyclone by the local volunteers from different organizations. Local administration, besides volunteers, is ready in case of any emergency," he added.

The center of the cyclone was 605 kilometers away from the Bangladesh coast and 500 miles away from the Odisha coast.

Reportedly, the landfall is expected between mornings to evening with a varied wind speed of 140-185 kilometers per hour. 

There is a possibility of forming a storm surge more than 4 meters high in the coastal area where it is expected to make landfall. However, the surge may heighten by an additional meter or more due to full moon and high tide.

If Yaas does not change its course dramatically, Bangladesh might not witness any extra tidal surge except for the gusty and squally winds. 

Dhaka, Sylhet, Khulna, Barishal, and Rajshahi divisions and Noakhali and Lakshmipur districts may observe more than 150 mm of rainfall whereas districts in Cox's Bazar and Chittagong may observe 70-90 mm of accumulated rainfall within the next 10 days.

The country's maximum temperature on Sunday was recorded 39.8 degrees Celsius at Khulna and the minimum temperature was today 24.0 degrees Celsius at Kutubdia. 

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Meteorological Department has asked the maritime ports of the country to hoist distant cautionary signal number two.