The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Wednesday that a cyclone named Yaas is likely to hit the east coast on May 26, after severe cyclonic storm Tauktae skirted the west coast.

IMD also said that a low pressure area is very likely to form over north Andaman Sea and adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal around May 22. Yaas is likely to intensify gradually into a cyclonic storm in the subsequent 72 hours, the IMD added.

The weather department said that under the influence of the system, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Odisha, West Bengal, Assam and Meghalaya are likely to receive light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy rainfalls at isolated places from evening of May 25.

IMD officials said that they cannot rule out the possibility that Yaas will intensify like Amphan.  Officials in Odisha have started making preparations for the cyclone-Yaas. Odisha Special Relief Commissioner Pradeep K Jena on Wednesday held a preparatory meeting with the officials of 10 coastal districts along with SPs, fire department officers and emergency officials.

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West Bengal Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has directed senior government officials to make all the necessary arrangements. She chaired a virtual meeting and directed officers to arrange for adequate stock of medicines, drinking water, dry food and tarpaulins.

The Met Department advised fishermen not to venture into the Bay of Bengal from May 24, warning that sea conditions are likely to be rough to very rough.

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IMD said that the west coast, especially the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra, are still assessing the damage done by extremely severe cyclonic storm Tauktae. Pre-monsoon months of April and May usually witness formation of cyclones on the eastern as well as the western coast.

May 2020 saw two cyclones, super cyclonic storm Amphan and severe cyclonic storm Nisarga, which hit the eastern and western coast, respectively.