Cyclone Yaas, which has intensified into a “very severe cyclonic storm”, is set to hit the states of Orissa, also known as Odisha, and West Bengal.
This is the second cyclone to hit the country in a week, after Cyclone Tauktae killed more than 90 people.
It comes as India is already struggling to deal with its Covid-19 outbreak.
Weather department officials say they expect wind speeds of 150km/h (93mph) gusting to 180km/h (112mph) when the cyclone makes landfall.
A high danger warning has been issued for two key ports, and a “red alert” has been issued for several districts across Orissa. Sea levels are expected to rise in storm surges up to three metres and inundate low-lying areas
District officials in Orissa and West Bengal states have millions of people living in vulnerable coastal areas.
Nearly 1,200 rescue shelters have been sanitised in line with Covid-19 safety norms, and health teams have been deployed there – but there are worries that it will be difficult to maintain social distancing protocols as more than a million are evacuated to shelters.
