Cyclonic storm 'Amphan' brewing over Southeast of Bay of Bengal and neighbourhood is likely to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm during next 12 hours and into a very severe cyclonic storm by May 20, the Indian Met Department has said. The storm is likely to bring rainfall into coastal areas of Odisha and West Bengal. The Odisha government has geared up for rescue and relief operations. Special Relief Commissioner of Odisha, PK Jena said: "CM has held a review meeting with all concerned officials and Dist administrations. He has advised pre-positioning of NDRF, fire service teams, alternate drinking water supply, manpower with equipment for road clearance."
Odisha districts that are likely to be affected by Cyclonic storm Amphan
"Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Ganjam may be affected due to the cyclonic storm.The Chief Secy has requested Union Cabinet Secy to consider suspending 'shramik special' trains from May18 for 3 days in the coastal areas," he added.
The system is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by Sunday evening and move north-northwestwards till May 17, regional Met director G K Das said.
It is very likely to recurve north-northeastwards thereafter towards West Bengal coast from May 18 to 20, he said. Under its impact, the coastal districts of Gangetic West Bengal, including North and South 24 Parganas, Kolkata, East and West Midnapore, Howrah and Hooghly will experience heavy to very heavy rain on May 19 and 20, Das said.
West Bengal Home secretary Alapan Bandopdhyay said that the entire state machinery is prepared to deal with the situation. Disaster management teams are being sent to cyclone shelters in the coastal areas and other places for rescue and relief operations, he said. Bandopadhyay said that provisions have been made for maintaining social distancing norms at these shelters in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said that National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are also there for rescue and relief operations. The state chief secretary held a meeting with concerned officials on Saturday evening to take stock of preparations and the movement of the cyclone, he said.
Fishermen have been advised not to venture into North Bay of Bengal along and off West Bengal-Odisha coasts from May 18 to 21 and those who are out in the sea were asked to return to coasts by May 17.
Sea condition will be very high to phenomenal over north Bay of Bengal on May 19 and 20, the regional Met director said. Wind speed along and off the coastal areas of West Bengal will reach 45 to 55 kmph with gusts of 65 kmph from May 19 afternoon and will gradually increase to 75 to 85 kmph with gusts upto 90 kmph from May 20 morning, the weatherman said.
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has also prepared itself for maritime search and rescue operations. "All out efforts have been made in the maritime states of West Bengal and Odisha in co-ordination with the state administration and Fisheries department," the ICG has said. The ICG ships and aircraft on patrol are directing fishing boats operating at sea to return to harbour for safety, it said.
(With inputs from agencies)
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