This image shows NDRF personal making announcements to warn people on the Bay of Bengal coast about Cyclone Amphan at Namkhana, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India, Tuesday, May 19, 2020. The powerful cyclone was moving toward India and Bangladesh on Tuesday as authorities tried to evacuate millions of people while maintaining social distancing.
Super cyclonic storm Amphan which weakened into an extremely severe cyclonic storm is nearing over West Bengal coast and is expected to make landfall in Bengal and Odisha anytime on Wednesday. As per the weatherman, the extremely severe cyclonic storm will be crossing West Bengal coast between Wednesday afternoon-evening with wind speed ranging from 155 to 165 kmph. Before weakening into an extremely severe cyclonic storm, Amphan speed had reached to 240-250 kmph while it was hovering over west-central and east-central Bay of Bengal. The weather department has issued an orange alert for a number of districts in West Bengal including Kolkata, Hooghly, Howrah, South, and North 24 Parganas and East Midnapore districts.
Extremely severe cyclonic storm Amphan
Assam on High Alert
The Assam government on Tuesday issued a "high alert" over cyclone 'Amphan' and directed the state disaster management authority to set up a control room to deal with the situation. Quoting the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Chief Secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna said there is a strong likelihood of widespread effect of the cyclone in Assam, especially in west Assam districts.
This is the most intense cyclone: IMD
It is very likely to move north-northeastwards across northwest Bay of Bengal and cross West Bengal – Bangladesh coasts between Digha (West Bengal) and Hatiya Islands (Bangladesh) close to Sundarbans during afternoon to evening hours of 20th May 2020: IMD
Super Cyclonic Storm AMPHAN over Westcentral Bay of Bengal moved north-northeastwards with a speed of 17 kmph during past 6 hours & lay centred at 1130 hrs IST of 19th May 2020 as an Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm over Westcentral Bay of Bengal: IMD
As far as West Bengal is concerned, the districts which can be possibly affected are North & South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore districts. Kolkata, Hooghly, Howrah and West Midnapore districts will face wind speed of 110-120 kmph gusting up to 135 kmph: IMD Chief
This is the most intense cyclone - the second super cyclone - which has been formed in Bay of Bengal after 1999. Its wind speed in the sea right now is 200-240 kmph. It is moving towards north northwestward direction, says IMD chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra
15 teams are deployed in Odisha
15 teams are deployed in Odisha. They are carrying out awareness drives, communication drives, and evacuation. 19 teams are deployed in West Bengal, 2 in standby there. We are facing a dual challenge right now - COVID1-9 and cyclone, says NDRF Chief SN Pradhan.
Cyclone AMPHAN likely to make landfall between Digh aand Hatiya Islands (Bangladesh)
Super Cyclone AMPHAN is likely to make landfall between Digha (West Bengal) and Hatiya Islands (Bangladesh) close to Sundarbans with maximum sustained wind 155-165 kmph gusting to 185 kmph during afternoon to evening of tomorrow, the 20th May.
Fishing activity suspended in West Bengal and Odisha
IMD has issued a warning to suspend all fishing activity in West Bengal and Odisha till May 20, in the wake of super cyclone Amphan.
Residents of Tajpur, East Medinipur create a temporary fence along the coast, in the wake of Amphan Cyclone in West Bengal.
Amit Shah reviews Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's preparedness
Home Minister has also spoken to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and reviewed the preparedness. He again reiterated that Central Government is ready to provide any support needed from them by both the affected states.
Amit Shah speaks to Mamata Banerjee
Home Minister Amit Shah speaks to West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Cyclone Amphan. He has assured West Bengal CM that the Centre is committed to helping the state & already teams of NDRF have been deployed. Centre is ready to give any assistance the state requires.
Cyclone Amphan is likely to move north northeastwards across northwest Bay of Bengal & cross West Bengal–Bangladesh coasts between Digha and Hatiya Islands close to Sundarbans during afternoon-evening on May 20, IMD informed.
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