A priest runs to a safer place in Balasore district, Odisha. REUTERS

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 26

As cyclone Yaas made landfall near Balasore on the coast of Odisha, the armed forces and the Coast Guard pressed men, machines, equipment, boats, ships, helicopters and opened medical camps and shelters in Odisha and West Bengal.

On ground, the Army has deployed 17 columns — some 1,700 men — with boats, life jackets and dry ration across the two states. A specialist engineer task force with heavy equipment has been stationed at Balasore, Odisha, the spot where the cyclone hit land.

Relief and rescue work commenced today in East Midnapore and Digha, where cyclonic rain hit areas in West Bengal. The Army has spread its teams to Purulia, West Bardhaman, Jhargram, Bakura, Birbhum, Hooghly, Howrah, Kolkata Port, 24 Parganas and Kolkatta south.

The Eastern Command of the Indian Air Force has mobilised its assets, like helicopters for a quick response. A task force has been set up to monitor the efforts, in addition to co-ordinating with all agencies.

The Navy has arranged relief material and set up a community kitchen for thousands of people. The Naval Officer-in-Charge (Odisha), Operations Room, has been monitoring ships movement along the coast in coordination with authorities at Gopalpur, Paradip and Damara ports.

The Indian Coast Guard had commenced preventive and response measures on the eastern seaboard as early as May 19. “No loss of life or property at sea was reported,” the Coast Guard said.

All fishing boats had returned ships at anchorage off Odisha and West Bengal coast had taken safe shelter and Single Point Mooring (SPM) operations of the crude oil industry were suspended. All ships, planes and helicopters of Coast Guard are maintaining a high state of readiness.