Cyclone Yaas was a powerful tropical cyclone that impacted the coastal regions of West Bengal in May 2021. Forming over the Bay of Bengal, it became a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm and made landfall on May 26, 2021, near Balisai in the East Midnapore district of West Bengal. It was one of the most intense storms to hit the region in recent years, exacerbating the already challenging situation posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Impact on Coastal West Bengal:
The cyclone brought heavy rain, strong winds, and widespread destruction along the coastal areas, particularly affecting Purba Medinipur, South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas, and Howrah districts. Wind speeds reached up to 155-165 km/h, causing extensive damage to homes, infrastructure, and power lines. The Sundarbans, a UNESCO World Heritage site, which is home to thousands of people living in the delta's low-lying areas, faced significant flooding and erosion, with many houses and embankments being washed away.
The storm also forced the evacuation of over 1.5 million people from vulnerable areas in West Bengal. Relief efforts were swift, with the state government setting up relief camps and distributing aid, including food, clean drinking water, and medical supplies. Despite these efforts, the aftermath of Cyclone Yaas left a lasting impact, with widespread damage to agriculture, fishing, and infrastructure, further complicating the region’s recovery from the ongoing health crisis caused by COVID-19.
Government Response:
The government of West Bengal, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, took immediate action to mitigate the effects of the cyclone. Emergency response teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), were deployed to conduct rescue and relief operations. Temporary shelters and relief camps were set up, while state authorities worked to restore electricity and clear debris from the streets. Despite these efforts, many areas, especially the coastal regions, faced challenges related to recovery and rebuilding, and the state’s long-term resilience to climate-related disasters came into sharper focus.
Cyclone Yaas is a stark reminder of the increasing vulnerability of coastal regions in India to natural disasters, particularly due to climate change, and highlighted the need for improved disaster preparedness and management in the future.
