West Bengal, Odisha brace for super cyclone 'Amphan', PM Modi

West Bengal, Odisha brace for super cyclone 'Amphan', PM Modi 

Cyclone Amphan intensifies into super cyclone, says IMD

Extremely severe cyclonic storm Amphan over the west and central parts of Bay of Bengal has intensified into a super cyclone with wind speed above 200 kmph (kilometres per hour) on Monday afternoon, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD). Heavy rainfall is expected to hit coastal Odisha by Monday evening and then hit West Bengal’s coast the following day.

On Wednesday, the super cyclone is expected to marginally lose its strength and cross over to West Bengal and Bangladesh coasts as an extremely severe cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 180-190 kmph. The extremely severe cyclone is expected to cross in between Digha in West Bengal and Hatiya islands in Bangladesh, IMD authorities said on Monday.

Earlier on Monday morning, IMD was expecting it to cross the Indian coasts as a very severe cyclonic storm.

Scientists at IMD said this is the first time that super cyclones have been recorded in two consecutive years — Kyarr (2019) and now Amphan -- and this could be linked to higher sea surface temperatures in both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.

This is the first super cyclonic storm in the Bay of Bengal after the 1999 super cyclone, which impacted coastal Odisha and killed over 9,000 people. There was a super cyclone, called Kyarr, in the Arabian Sea last October and was concentrated only in the ocean. However, Kyarr did not claim any human life. Odisha also faced nature’s wrath last May in the form of cyclone Fani.





“All conditions are currently favourable for the development of a super cyclone. The sea surface temperature is in the range of 30 to 31 degrees Celsius, as compared to an expected temperature of 28 degrees Celsius over the region. There is vertical wind shear (change in wind speed with altitude) and sufficient moisture in the air,” said Sunita Devi, a scientist, who is in-charge of cyclones at IMD.

Widespread damage is expected in coastal West Bengal and Odisha, according to IMD’s latest bulletin.

IMD has warned that would be extensive damage to kutcha and even old or damaged pucca constructions, uprooting of communications and power transmission poles, disruption of rail and road links, crops and plantations; large boats, ships can get torn from moorings, etc.



IMD issues cyclone alert for West Bengal, Bangladesh coasts
The IMD, Bhubaneswar also stated that cyclonic storm AMPHAN is very likely to intensify further into a “Severe Cyclonic Storm” during next six hours and into a “Very Severe Cyclonic Storm” during subsequent 12 hours

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Bhubaneswar on Sunday issued a yellow alert stating that West Bengal and Bangladesh coasts are likely to be affected by cyclonic storm ‘AMPHAN’ which is brewing over Southeast Bay of Bengal.

“Cyclone Alert for West Bengal and Bangladesh Coasts: Yellow Message,” stated the weather department.



The IMD, Bhubaneswar also stated that cyclonic storm AMPHAN is very likely to intensify further into a “Severe Cyclonic Storm” during next six hours and into a “Very Severe Cyclonic Storm” during subsequent 12 hours.

“Cyclone Amphan is likely to make landfall in between Sagar Islands (West Bengal) and Hatiya Islands (Bangladesh) during the afternoon/evening of May 20 as a very severe cyclonic storm,” said HR Biswas, Director of IMD Bhubaneswar while speaking to media.

The IMD has also predicted “light to moderate rain or thundershower over the districts of coastal Odisha and Koraput.”

“Heavy rainfall very likely to occur at isolated places over the district of Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara. Rainfall will commence from 18th May evening,” the advisory from IMD read.



The weatherman further predicted that sea condition will be very high over southwest and adjoining central Bay of Bengal during next 24 hours.

“It will become phenomenal over southern parts of central Bay of Bengal from tonight, over northern parts of central Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Bay of Bengal on 19th May and over north Bay of Bengal on 20th May 2020.”

The fishermen have been advised not to venture into south Bay of Bengal till May 17, to central Bay of Bengal during 17 to 18 May and North Bay of Bengal during 19 to 20 May 2020.





Big challenge to tackle Super Cyclone Amphan amid Covid-19 outbreak: NDRF
Cyclone Amphan developed rapidly into a super cyclone in the Bay of Bengal on Monday afternoon prompting a series of key meetings in New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday afternoon chaired a meeting of the National Disaster Management Authority to discuss the preparations in place to tackle the cyclonic storm.


Warning that Super Cyclone Amphan has the potential to cause extensive damage to the coastlines of Bengal and Odisha during landfall later this week, National Disaster Response Force Director General SN Pradhan on Monday said preparing for the super cyclonic storm amid the Covid-19 pandemic was a “dual challenge” for the force.

“Cyclone Amphan is very intense and has the potential to do large-scale damage. It’s a big challenge as the cyclone is striking during the outbreak of Covid-19. We have dedicated 53 teams, including those on standby, for Cyclone Amphan and for the people likely to be affected in Odisha, West Bengal,” the NDRF DG said at a news briefing.




Cyclone Amphan developed rapidly into a super cyclone in the Bay of Bengal on Monday afternoon prompting a series of key meetings in New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday afternoon chaired a meeting of the National Disaster Management Authority to discuss the preparations in place to tackle the cyclonic storm. The Prime Minister has directed that all necessary measures be taken to complete evacuation of people from areas in the cyclone’s path and maintain adequate quantities of essential supplies.

ALSO READ | 21 years later, Bengal, Odisha prep for another Super Cyclone, this time Amphan

The super cyclonic storm is expected to make landfall on May 20 between Digha in West Bengal and Hatia Island in Bangladesh, according to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). It is an extremely severe cyclonic storm with wind speeds ranging from 195 kmph to 250 kmph.

Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla has spoken to the chief secretaries of West Bengal and Odisha on Monday. He told the West Bengal government that as per their request, 13 teams of NDRF have already been pre-positioned in the state, 4 teams are en-route and 4 teams are on standby for relief and rescue operations if needed.

Bhalla also assured of any assistance if required from the Centre and said help would be provided immediately.

According to definition, a super cyclone usually travels with wind speed velocity of almost 250 kmph and makes a tremendous impact on landfall causing large-scale destruction.




“We don’t want to take Amphan lightly as it’s only the second time that India is witnessing a super cyclone after 1999,” Pradhan said. Twenty-one years ago, in 1999, another super cyclonic storm had ravaged large parts of Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal. It had taken Odisha, a number of months to repair the extensive damage that the Super Cyclone had caused back then.

Cyclone Amphan will also cause heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in the coastal districts of West Bengal and it has the potential to cause extensive damage in the coastal districts of the state, a government statement issued on Monday evening said.

The districts of East Medinipur, South and North 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hooghly and Kolkata in West Bengal are likely to be the worst affected due to Cyclone Amphan. The storm is also likely to impact the coastal districts of north Odisha, including Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Bhadrak and Balasore.

The IMD has warned of a storm surge of a height of about four-six metres above the astronomical tide, which would inundate the low-lying coastal areas of South and North 24 Parganas, and three-four metres in East Medinipur at the time of landfall, the statement said.



The government statement also recommended review of telecommunications in the event of damages caused to them and also to ensure quick resumption of services in the event of any disruption.

The Indian Coast Guard and the Navy have deployed ships and helicopters for relief and rescue operations. The Army and the Air Force units in West Bengal and Odisha have also been put on standby to prepare for the Super Cyclone.