Updated on May 21, 2020 7:20 AM IST: 7 killed as storm hits Bangladesh coast; over 1 million customers lose power supply
At least seven people have been killed as cyclone Amphan made landfall along the coastline of Bangladesh, causing heavy rains and tidal surges.
Updated on May 21, 2020 7:10 AM IST: 12 killed as cyclone Amphan batters Bengal at 165kmph
Barrelling in from the Bay of Bengal with wind speeds of up to 185kmph, severe cyclonic storm Amphan on Wednesday cut a swathe through northern Odisha before bearing down on West Bengal, where it claimed 10 to 12 lives, flattened houses and cast aside trees and electricity poles like matchsticks in six-and-a-half hours of monstrous fury that left Kolkata and most of south Bengal pulverised.
Updated on May 21, 2020 7:00 AM IST: 3 dead as Cyclone Amphan crosses Odisha before making landfall in Bengal
Three deaths were reported including that of a 2-month-old girl in Odisha as extremely severe cyclonic storm Amphan, the strongest storm since the 1999 Super Cyclone, barrelled along the Odisha coast this morning before making landfall near Sunderbans in West Bengal late on Wednesday afternoon.
Updated on May 20, 2020 10:20 PM IST: West Bengal has been affected by cyclone Amphan than the coronavirus pandemic, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said addressing a press conference. She said that damages due to super cyclone Amphan could be worth Rs 1 lakh crore..
Updated on May 20, 2020 10:10 PM IST: 19 NDRF teams have been deployed in coastal areas of West Bengal. NDRF teams assisted the local administration in the safe evacuation of more than 5 lakh people to safer places, till now.
Updated on May 20, 2020 10:00 PM IST: Over one million consumers in the coastal areas of Bangladesh were without power after strong winds snapped electricity lines and many houses destroyed as the country was hit by a powerful cyclone on Wednesday that killed at least one person.
Updated on May 20, 2020 9:40 PM IST: Odisha government has asked the district collectors to submit cyclone Amphan damage assessment reports within 48 hours. The cyclone has caused widespread damage in the coastal districts of the state.
Updated on May 20, 2020 9:20 PM IST: Now the system will move north-northeasterly, gradually weaken and then become a depression tomorrow.
Updated on May 20, 2020 9:00 PM IST: 5,500 houses damaged, 2 persons dead and 2 severely injured in North 24 Parganas, as per 7 pm report by Bibek Vasme, Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Basirhat.
Updated on May 20, 2020 8:10 PM IST: West Bengal: NDRF personnel clear electricity wires and uprooted trees off the road between Digha in East Midnapore district and Odisha border.
Updated on May 20, 2020 8:00 PM IST: The power supply has been cut off in North and South 24 Parganas districts of West Bengal as per chief minister Mamata Banerjee's orders in view of Cyclone Amphan landfall.
Updated on May 20, 2020 7:50 PM IST: 24×7 control rooms have been set up at Bhubaneswar and Kolkata by PGCIL and NTPC. Our public sector companies i.e. NTPC, PGCIL and POSOCO have made all necessary preparations to deal with the situation and help the State Power Utilities in efficient restoration of any damages: RK Singh, Minister of Power.
Updated on May 20, 2020 7:40 PM IST: All 20 units of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) stationed in Odisha have been deployed in the state, while as many units have been pressed into service in West Bengal for relief and rescue efforts in the wake of Cyclone Amphan, NDRF Director General SN Pradhan said on Wednesday.
Updated on May 20, 2020 7:30 PM IST: A team of Indian Navy divers has been stationed at Diamond Harbour in South 24 Parganas district with specialised equipment and can be rushed for rescue missions as and when required, a defence spokesman said.
Updated on May 20, 2020 7:20 PM IST: The landfall process would continue for four hours, bringing in its wake heavy rain and triggering three-five metres of tidal waves.
Updated on May 20, 2020 7:10 PM IST: Two women were killed in Howrah district and Minakhan area of North 24 Parganas district due to uprooting of trees, an official said.
Updated on May 20, 2020 7:00 PM IST: The Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force have made preparations to tackle the super cyclone which has moved within 400km of Bangladesh's coast and is expected to make landfall on Wednesday evening.
Updated on May 20, 2020 6:50 PM IST: Authorities have already raised the alert level to 'great danger' for some districts in the country as the cyclone, the most powerful storm since cyclone 'Sidr' killed nearly 3,500 people in 2007, was approaching the coastline.
Updated on May 20, 2020 6:40 PM IST: Bangladesh has shifted over two million people to storm shelters and deployed the military to deal with the powerful cyclone Amphan which is set to make landfall on the coastal districts, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Wednesday.
Updated on May 20, 2020 6:30 PM IST: Bangladesh shifts over two million people; armed forces put on alert
Updated on May 20, 2020 6:20 PM IST: Cyclone wreaks havoc in Odisha, two killed
Updated on May 20, 2020 6:10 PM IST: Cyclone Amphan caused havoc in the coastal districts of Odisha as it triggered heavy rainfall, coupled with high-velocity winds while moving towards West Bengal.
Ground report: Current situation of Medinipur, #WestBengal, when #CycloneAmphan is making the landfall.#CycloneAmphanUpdate#CycloneAmphan #CycloneAmphanUpdates #AmphanCyclone #Amphan pic.twitter.com/UFZ198a1Xu
— SkymetWeather (@SkymetWeather) May 20, 2020
Updated on May 20, 2020 6:00 PM IST: Hundreds of trees were uprooted and electric and telecom infrastructure damaged. The government has received reports of two deaths from Bhadrak and Kendrapara districts due to the cyclone.
Updated on May 20, 2020 5:50 PM IST: Eye of the storm over Gangasagar now, wind intensity 165 kmph.
Updated on May 20, 2020 5:40 PM IST: The first arm of Cyclone Amphan has touched the land. The eye of the cyclone is expected to touch land anytime. Landfall process started at 2.30 pm with the entry of the front sector of the wall cloud region.
Updated on May 20, 2020 5:30 PM IST: Cyclone Amphan is currently crossing the West Bengal coast near the Sunderbans and will reach near Kolkata by evening.
Updated on May 20, 2020 5:20 PM IST: Bhadrak and Balasore (in Odisha) will continue to have a damaging impact for 2-3 more hours. After this Odisha will not have any damaging impact.
Ground report: Current situation of Haldia, #WestBengal, when #CycloneAmphan is making the landfall.#CycloneAmphanUpdate#CycloneAmphan #CycloneAmphanUpdates #AmphanCyclone #Amphan pic.twitter.com/5449eCTPNK
— SkymetWeather (@SkymetWeather) May 20, 2020
Updated on May 20, 2020 5:15 PM IST: "39 NDRF teams have been deployed on the ground, 2 teams on reserve in West Bengal, one of them being deployed in Kolkata," says SN Pradhan, NDRF chief. "Cyclone Amphan currently entering West Bengal coast near Sunderbans," he added.
"All operations suspended at Kolkata Airport till 5 am tomorrow in view of cyclone Amphan including special flights, which were operational in view of COVID-19 pandemic," the Airport Director stated.
Updated on May 20, 2020 5:10 PM IST: Bhadrak and Balasore (in Odisha) will continue to have a damaging impact for 2-3 more hours. After this Odisha will not have any damaging impact.
Updated on May 20, 2020 4:40 PM IST: South and North 24 Parganas to witness lull as the eye of cyclone passes through, but heavy rains, strong winds will resume in 30 minutes
Updated on May 20, 2020 4:30 PM IST: The landfall has started happening in Odisha and West Bengal. The next 24 hours are crucial.
Updated on May 20, 2020 4:20 PM IST: Cyclone Amphan likely to cross nearby areas of Kolkata in the evening. Strong winds of around 110-120 km/hr expected in Kolkata, Hooghly, Howrah.
Updated on May 20, 2020 4:15 PM IST: A Bangladesh Red Crescent volunteer drowned Wednesday when a boat capsized while evacuating villagers in the path of Cyclone Amphan, the organisation said.
Updated on May 20, 2020 4:00 PM IST: Cyclone Amphan has moved down its originally forecasted path. It has already crossed Paradip, Kendrapara, Dhamra, and right now it is at sea adjoining Balasore. Maybe in another 3 hours, it will make landfall.
Updated on May 20, 2020 4:00 PM IST: Cyclone #Amphan has moved down its originally forecasted path. It has already crossed Paradip, Kendrapara, Dhamra, and right now it is at sea adjoining Balasore. Maybe in another 3 hours, it will make landfall.
Updated on May 20, 2020 3:40 PM IST: Cyclone Amphan will make landfall close to Sundarbans between Digha (West Bengal) and Hatiya Islands (Bangladesh) as an “extremely severe cyclonic storm” on Wednesday evening around 4pm, dumping heavy rain with howling winds at sustained winds of 155-165 kmph, gusting to 185 kmph.
Updated on May 20, 2020 11:50 AM IST: All operations at Kolkata Airport suspended till 5 am on Thursday.
"All operations suspended at Kolkata Airport till 5 am tomorrow in view of cyclone Amphan including special flights, which were operational in view of COVID-19 pandemic," the Airport Director stated.
Updated on May 20, 2020 11:45 AM IST: Cyclone Amphan lies 177km south southeast of Digha. After landfall, it is likely to move north northeast close to Kolkata.
Updated on May 20, 2020 11:15 AM IST: Cyclone Amphan is about 123km East-Southeast of Paradip (Odisha), 177km South-Southeast of Digha (West Bengal), and 328km West-Southwest of Khepupara (Bangladesh).
Updated on May 20, 2020 10:50 AM IST: The Super Cyclone Amphan over the Northwest Bay Of Bengal moved north-northeastwards with a speed of 22 kmph during past 06 hours and lay centred at 0830 hrs IST of today, the 20th May, 2020 as an Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm.
The Super #CycloneAmphan over Northwest #BayOfBengal moved north-northeastwards with a speed of 22 kmph during past 06 hours and lay centred at 0830 hrs IST of today, the 20th May, 2020 as an Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm. @IMDWeather #Odisha #WestBengal pic.twitter.com/tyiXvQDznx
— NDMA India (@ndmaindia) May 20, 2020
Updated on May 20, 2020 9:15 AM IST: Cyclone Amphan track and its likely landfall.
Tracking #CycloneAmphan and its likely landfall.#AmphanUpdate #CycloneAmphan #AmphanSuperCyclone #CyclonicStormAMPHAN pic.twitter.com/TdVlNHpVgK
— SkymetWeather (@SkymetWeather) May 20, 2020
Updated on May 20, 2020 9:00 AM IST: In view of Cyclone Amphan nearing closer to the coast, Paradip records the highest wind speed of 102kmph and rainfall 208.3mm till 0730 Hrs IST.
Updated on May 20, 2020 8:45 AM IST: Purba Medinipur in West Bengal is in the path of Amphan landfall, where 50,000 people are to be at risk and evacuated to safer location. With over 1 million people evacuated.
Updated on May 20, 2020 8:35 AM IST: Cyclone Amphan is about 125 km East-SE of Paradip, 225 km South of Digha & 380 km SW of Khepupara. Amphan Intensity near center, 170-180 kmph gusting to 200kmph. Wind speed over Paradip 102 kmph, Chandbali74 kmph, Balasore 61 kmph, Puri 41 kmph, and Bhubaneswar 37 kmph.
Updated on May 20, 2020 8:20 AM IST: Over 3 lakh evacuated in Odisha, high alert sounded in 12 districts
Updated on May 20, 2020 8:10 AM IST: Strong winds and high tides at Chandipur in Balasore, Odisha. Lakhs of people evacuated in Bengal, Odisha as the cyclonic storm will make a landfall this afternoon.
Strong winds and high tides at Chandipur in Balasore, Odisha. Lakhs of people evacuated in Bengal, Odisha as the cyclonic storm will make a landfall this afternoon.#CycloneAmphan pic.twitter.com/0gCVzVK6Do
— CNBC-TV18 (@CNBCTV18News) May 20, 2020
Updated on May 20, 2020 8:00 AM IST: Gusty winds lash coastal areas of Odisha's Balasore district.
#CycloneAmphanUpdate: Gusty winds lash coastal areas of #Odisha's #Balasore district.#CycloneAmphan pic.twitter.com/poVZDhR6r8
— Sambad English (@Sambad_English) May 20, 2020
Updated on May 20, 2020 7:30 AM IST: 1,704 shelter camps have been set up and 1,19,075 people have been evacuated so far in Odisha in view of Cyclone Amphan.
Updated on May 20, 2020 7:30 AM IST: Effect of Cyclone Amphan, raining heavily at Sagar Island, West Bengal.
Raining at Sagar Island in #WestBengal under influence of #CycloneAmphan
Report: Arijit pic.twitter.com/pDks5vQrlk
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) May 20, 2020
Updated on May 20, 2020 6:30 AM IST: Cyclone Amphan on its last stretch now, readies for landfall today afternoon
Cyclone Amphan tracked NNE (northnortheast) in the past 12 hours maintaining a speed of about 15 kmph. It has retained intensity as an Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm (ESCS) for nearly 24 hours. The storm is centered around 19.5N and 87.6E, about 150km southeast of Paradip and 240km south 0f Digha. The storm is on course to head for the delta region of West Bengal.
The eye of the cyclonic storm is visible, tightly wrapped banding still seen around the Central Dense Overcast (CDO). Favorable environmental conditions prevail albeit with a marginal drop in sea surface temperature and a slight increase in vertical wind shear. Terrain interaction, entrainment, and increased wind shear may weaken the storm a bit to become Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS) a few hours before making landfall. Though there is some uncertainty amongst the weather models about crossing the coast, broad consensus suggests the landfall between Digha and Hatia, towards afternoon/evening.
Even the VSCS will have winds in excess of 150kmph in gusty conditions and very heavy rains dumping 200-300mm in 24 hours. The damaging potential of the storm can demolish kutcha and old houses, uproot trees, disrupt connectivity and power transmission, obstruct rail/road connectivity and spoil crops. Flooding and inundation of low lying areas warrant evacuation to safe places.
Need to exercise utmost caution and adopt safety measure. Be watchful and stay safe.
Updated on May 19, 2020 8:00 PM IST: Super Cyclone recurves, landfall between Digha and Hatia around late afternoon on May 20
As per the latest satellite imagery, the super cyclone has weakened slightly and is graded as an Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm (ESCS). The storm is clearly depicting Central Dense Overcast (CDO) but the ‘eye’ is not visible. Even in an ESCS, consolidation continues to take place and the eye can reappear.
The cyclone is tracking through a generally favorable environment with low to moderate wind shear and warm sea surface of 31 degrees with robust poleward and equatorward outflow.
Cyclone Amphan will retain its status of Extremely Severe Cyclonic System for the next 24 hours and continue steering northeast. As it goes past ashore Odisha and reaches in the waters of North Bay of Bengal, the entrainment of dry air from the land weakens the storm slightly. The presence of rugged terrain erodes the sharp features of the storm. However, the storm has a tendency to speed up before the landfall with a slight bias towards the east of the normal track. The cyclone will tentatively cross the coast between Digha and Hatia (Bangladesh) around late afternoon on 20th May.
The coastal tide and surge are expected to be 15-20 feets and the on-shore winds are likely to be 120-150 kmph. Strong winds and heavy rains carry the deadly catastrophic damaging potential. Coastal areas of West Bengal like Digha, Diamond Harbor, Contai, Haldia, Nandigram along with Howrah, Kolkata Midnapore and 24 South Pargana need to be on extreme alert for severe weather conditions on the day of landfall.
