Cyclone Yaas crosses North Odisha coast, inundates large parts of Bengal's coastal districts

The very severe cyclonic storm Yaas crossed North Odisha coast about 20 km south of Balasore during 10.30-11.30 am, with estimated wind speed of 130-140 kmph gusting to 155 kmph. It then moved northwestwards and lay centred at 11.30 am over north coastal Odisha, about 15 km south-southwest of Balasore. Rising river water levels due to Cyclone Yaas have inundated large parts of West Bengal's coastal districts of Purba Medinipur and South 24 Parganas on Wednesday, as sea waves were seen touching coconut tree-tops and cars floating in floodwaters.