Chennai: A new cyclonic storm, named Yaas, is expected to start forming in the Bay of Bengal today, bringing rains to coastal districts.
Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan wrote to the Chief Secretaries of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamilnadu, West Bengal and Andaman and Nicobar Islands, saying public health challenge, already posed by the coronavirus pandemic, may be compounded due to direct impact of Covid and public health risks posed by water, vector and airborne diseases that may arise in the community or in displaced population living in camps or temporary shelter settings.
“Low pressure of the new cyclonic storm is expected to start forming in the Bay of Bengal by May 22. May 23 should mark depression stage, and the final cyclonic storm is expected to hit by May 24-25,” said RK Jenamani, senior scientist, National Weather Forecasting Centre, India Meteorological Department.
The Centre on Friday issued guideline to ramp up health infrastructure in coastal areas on the east coast of the country in the wake of Cyclone Yaas, which is expected to make landfall near West Bengal and Odisha on 26 May.
The government warned that public health challenge already posed by the Covid-19 pandemic may be compounded due to health risks posed in terms of water borne, vector borne and air borne diseases in camps/temporary shelter settings.
Apart from the impact of cyclone in Odisha and West Bengal, there may be widespread rains in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and districts of the east coast that may cause inland flooding.
Officials said all coastal and adjoining districts have been put on high alert.