West Bengal, Odisha gear up as Amphan heads closer to Indian coast

22:46 May 19

NDRF makes announcements ahead of Amphan landfall in WB

NDRF

West Bengal: National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel make announcements for people in Digha of East Midnapore district, as a part of their awareness drive, ahead of the landfall of Amphan cyclone, which is tomorrow (May 20).

"We're requesting people to follow instructions of government and district administration. We're also requesting them to follow procedure as per preparations made by government. Four teams are ready in East Midnapore. We're working in coordination with the state government," said Abhishek Kr Gaurav, Asst Commandant, 2nd Bn NDRF, Kolkata

21:36 May 19

21:33 May 19

20:49 May 19

District Magistrate of Kendarapara, Odisha speaks about Amphan situation in the state

20:45 May 19

People in West Bengal, Odisha afraid as Amphan heads closer to coast

20:35 May 19

Assam issues 'high alert' on cyclone 'Amphan'

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.

"In view of the above, you are requested to ensure that both preventive and response systems are put on high alert to avoid any loss of life and property," he said in an 'Extremely Urgent' message to all division commissioners, district deputy commissioners and state disaster management authority.

He also directed the officials concerned to keep the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) informed for their services whenever necessary.

"CEO, ASDMA may like to consider putting a control room in place for this," Krishna said.

19:16 May 19

Rainfall and strong winds hit Digha in West Bengal. Cyclone Amphan is expected to make landfall tomorrow.

19:16 May 19

BJP national president JP Nadda held a meeting with party's state presidents, state general secretaries and state general secretaries (org) of Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu today via video conferencing regarding Amphan cyclone.

19:15 May 19

Super cyclone 'Amphan' weakened into an extremely severe cyclonic storm on Tuesday as it moved closer to the coast, triggering rainfall in several parts of Odisha, where the state government stepped up efforts to evacuate people in vulnerable areas.

18:39 May 19

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, informed India Meteorological Department.

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.

18:39 May 19

Telecom service providers have been asked to arrange sufficient no.of generator sets with enough diesel&station them in all dists so that if there is any power disruption, then the towers can be restarted with the help of these gen-sets, informed Telecom Secy Anshu Prakash

SMS alerts are being generated to people in affected dists, for evacuation. It is upto state govts that in what frequency they want to send alerts. It's free of cost. It'll be in local languages.Intra-circle roaming will continue after cyclone crosses.

18:39 May 19

We are expecting a slight delay in the arrival of monsoon in Kerala due to tropical cyclone. Monsoon is expected to hit Kerala coast by June 5: IMD chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra

18:39 May 19

With cyclone 'Amphan' set to lash coastal areas of Bengal on May 20, the forest department on Tuesday formed rapid response teams to ensure that tigers from Sundarbans in South 24 Parganas district do not stray into nearby human settlements after the landfall.

18:38 May 19

Cyclone Amphan is second disaster amid COVID fight: NDRF

The National Disaster Response Force on Tuesday said as many as 41 teams are pre-positioned to carry out evacuation and awareness in both Odisha and West Bengal which are likely to be affected by the impending Cyclone Amphan.

The cyclone, with a width of 700 km and 15 km height, is currently whirling 570 km from south-southwest of West Bengal's Digha and 700 km south-southwest from Bangladesh's Khepupara and is going to make landfall in-between the two islands in over 24 hours.

Addressing a press briefing, Director General S.N. Pradhan said, "Nineteen teams are on ground, while two are on standby in six districts of West Bengal. In Odisha, out of the 20 teams, 15 are actively deployed in seven districts."

He said evacuation is being carried out in areas which are likely to be affected. "In Cyclone shelter homes, where 1,000 people can be accommodated, keeping social distancing in mind, only 400-500 people will be kept.

"This is the second disaster coming as we are already fighting COVID-19. This requires continuous monitoring. We are calling it a cyclone in the times of COVID-19," he added.

17:10 May 19

3 lakh people evacuated, moved to relief shelters, says Mamata Banerjee

At least three lakh people have been evacuated from coastal areas of West Bengal in view of the impending super cyclonic storm 'Amphan' and all steps have been taken to deal with any eventuality arising out of it, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Tuesday.

Banerjee said she and senior state government officials are directly monitoring the situation and announced several helpline numbers.

"All precautionary measures are taken to deal with any eventuality arising out of the super cyclone. I had a word with Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding it. At least three lakh people have been evacuated from three coastal districts of the state and moved to relief shelters," she told a press conference here.

The evacuees have been shifted to cyclone shelters and all other precautions are being taken, Banerjee said.

17:01 May 19

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: IMD chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra

16:59 May 19

41 NDRF teams deployed in West Bengal, Odisha

A total of 41 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed in West Bengal and Odisha to deal with any emergency situation arising out of cyclone 'Amphan', NDRF chief S N Pradhan said on Tuesday.

Addressing a press conference here, Pradhan said cyclone Amphan' is a second disaster coming in the time of already prevailing COVID-19 and it requires continuous monitoring.

"A total of 41 NDRF teams including reserves are deployed in two Amphan-affected states of Odisha and West Bengal," he said.

The NDRF Director General said Amphan will be extremely severe cyclonic storm when it makes a landfall on May 20 and its hit potential remains strong.

He said the NDRF has learnt from its experience of handling cyclone Fani' and has deployed tree-pole cutters in the areas which are expected to be hit.

"Wireless sets, satellite phones and other communication equipment are also with our teams. Our preparation is on par with facing a super cyclone like the one that hit the Odisha coast in 1999," he said.

14:54 May 19

The Border Security Force (BSF) has moved its three floating border posts or ships and 45 other patrol boats deployed to guard the India-Bangladesh riverine front in the Sunderbans and Icchamati river in West Bengal tosafe anchorage in view of the cyclonic storm 'Amphan', officials said.

14:54 May 19

Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba chaired the third meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) to review the preparedness of States and Central Ministries/Agencies to deal with the Cyclonic Storm 'AMPHAN': Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)

13:50 May 19

'Amphan' moves closer to Odisha coast, rain lashes several parts of the state

Rain lashed some parts of Odisha on Tuesday as super cyclone 'Amphan' moved closer to the coasts, while the state government stepped up efforts to evacuate low-lying and vulnerable areas, officials said.

In the morning, 'Amphan' lay centred over west-central Bay of Bengal, about 520 km south of Paradip (Odisha), 670 km south-southwest of Digha (West Bengal) and 800 km south-southwest of Khepupara in Bangladesh, said H R Biswas, the director of Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar.

It is likely to weaken in to an extremely severe cyclonic storm, move north-northeastwards over Bay of Bengal and cross West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts between Digha and Hatiya Islands during Wednesday afternoon or evening as a very severe cyclonic storm with maximum sustained wind speed of 155-165 kmph gusting to 180 kmph, he said.

The cyclone is being continuously tracked by the Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) at Vishakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.

Under its impact, light rains were witnessed in several areas of Puri, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur and Khurda districts of Odisha, and the intensity of rainfall and wind speed is likely to increase gradually, a Met official said.

IMD Director-General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said since the super cyclone is gradually weakening, and its impact is unlikely to be very severe on Odisha.

However, coastal districts like Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak and Balasore are likely to be battered by heavy rains coupled with high velocity winds from Tuesday evening, he said.

13:48 May 19

Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) P K Jena said evacuation of people living in low-lying areas, thatched and mud structures in the coastal districts is under progress and the process will be completed by evening.

He said the state government has made arrangements for evacuating over 11 lakh people as a precautionary measure.

Fourteen units of National Disaster Response Force and 20 teams of Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) have been deployed in the districts likely to be hit.

"We are in constant touch with the collectors of the 12 districts which have been put under alert in view of the cyclone. We are fully prepared to deal with any eventuality," Jena said

Chief Secretry A K Tripathy said four senior officers with vast experience in handling such calamities have been deputed to different districts on the direction of chief minister Navin Patnaik to supervise preparations and guide the local administration.

As high velocity winds may damage power infrastructure and roads, necessary equipment and manpower have been mobilised in order to ensure quick restoration in the affected areas, he said.

13:43 May 19

Super Cyclone Amphan Likely To Weaken, Hit Bengal By Tomorrow Evening

Super cyclonic storm Amphan is very likely to weaken into an extremely severe cyclonic storm in the next six hours before it hits West Bengal tomorrow, the Met department said this morning. It is likely to reach Bengal's Digha and an island in Bangladesh close to the Sunderbans by tomorrow afternoon or evening.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday chaired a meeting with top officials to review the response measures and preparedness to tackle Cyclone Amphan.

Amphan, pronounced as um-pun, had intensified into a super cyclonic storm on Monday and as of 5:30 this morning, it was about 520 km away from the Odisha coast in Paradip and 670 km from Bengal's Digha.

13:41 May 19

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: IMD

13:40 May 19

Shah speaks to Mamata and Navin, assures all help for super cyclone 'Amphan'

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday spoke to chief ministers of West Bengal and Odisha - Mamata Banerjee and Navin Patnaik respectively -- and assured them of all possible help to deal with the situation arising out of the super cyclone 'Amphan', officials said.

During the telephonic conversation with Banerjee, Shah took stock of the situation in West Bengal, where the cyclone is expected to make landfall on Wednesday.

The home minister assured the chief minister of all possible help to deal with the situation arising due to the cyclone 'Amphan', a home ministry official said.

In his phone call with Patnaik, Shah reviewed the situation in Odisha and assured him of the necessary assistance from the central government to tide over the situation.

Cyclone 'Amphan' developed into a super cyclone over the Bay of Bengal on Monday and has the potential to cause extensive damage in the coastal districts of West Bengal when it makes landfall, the government had said.

12:19 May 19

Local resident from Tajpur, West Bengal narrates the situation in his area.

12:18 May 19

Evacuation process is underway in Odisha's Jagatsinghpur

11:52 May 19

India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning to suspend all fishing activity in Bengal and Odisha till May 20, in the wake of super cyclone Amphan

11:23 May 19

High alert in Bhadrak for Amphan', evacuation process in progress

High alert has been issued in the district for possible storms. The Bay of Bengal is expected to be more windy due to the 'Amphan' effect. Chandbali and Basudebpur blocks is on the focus.

Bhadrak district administration has started the process of relocating the coastal areas. District Magistrate Gyan Das tweeted that the NDRF, Odraff and the fire brigade were on high alert in the district.

11:23 May 19

Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Jajpur & Jagatsinghpur districts to be most affected. We are expecting it will cross land by becoming a very severe cyclonic storm: Umashankar Das, Deputy Director, IMD Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

11:23 May 19

A team of National Disaster Response Force deployed in Jagatsinghpur urges villagers to shift to cyclone shelters in the area, in the wake of Amphan cyclone.

11:22 May 19

Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba to chair a meeting of the National Crisis Monitoring Committee at 12.00 noon today. Apart from the readiness of NDRF and defence forces, power and telecommunications departments directed to be ready with emergency response.

11:22 May 19

Tripura govt has directed its Dist administrations to take necessary preparedness measures as IMD Agartala has forecast thunderstorm accompanied by lightning,gusty wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph & heavy rainfall at isolated placed in all districts during 20-21 May.

10:46 May 19

'Amphan' to weaken into extremely severe cyclonic storm: Met

The super cyclonic storm 'Amphan' in west-central Bay of Bengal is likely to weaken into an 'extremely severe cyclonic storm' by noon on Tuesday, the Met department said here.

The system, which was situated 670 km south-southwest of Digha in West Bengal, is very likely to move north-northeastwards across northwest Bay of Bengal, and cross West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts in the afternoon or evening of Wednesday as a 'very severe cyclonic storm', the Met department said.

The weatherman said that 'Amphan' is expected to cross West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts between Digha in West Bengal and Hatiya islands in Bangladesh on May 20 as a very severe cyclonic storm, after losing some steam as it approaches landfall, with a maximum sustained wind speed of 155 to 165 kmph gusting to 180 kmph.

Gale wind speeds reaching 240 to 250 kmph were prevailing over west-central and adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal, the Met office said, adding, it will gradually reduce to 200 to 210 kmph gusting to 230 kmph by Tuesday evening.

The Met department, which has issued an 'orange message' for West Bengal, warned of extensive damage in Kolkata, Hooghly, Howrah, South and North 24 Parganas and East Midnapore districts.

There is likely to be disruption of rail and road link at several places, uprooting of communication and power poles and extensive damage to all types of 'kutcha' houses, the weatherman said.

There is also likelihood of massive harm to standing crops, plantations and orchards, the Met office said.

09:00 May 19

It's very likely to weaken into an extremely severe cyclonic storm during next 6 hours. It's very likely to move north northeastwards across northwest Bay of Bengal and cross West Bengal–Bangladesh coasts between Digha and Hatiya Islands close to Sundarbans during afternoon/evening of 20th of May: IMD

08:45 May 19

Super Cyclonic Storm ‘AMPHAN’ during the past 6 hours

Super Cyclonic Storm ‘AMPHAN’ over west-central and adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal moved north-northeastwards with a speed of 14 km/ph during past 6 hours and lay centred at 5:30 am today over west-central Bay of Bengal about 520 km nearly south of Paradip, Odisha: IMD

08:20 May 19

'Amphan' likely to turn to Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm today

Cyclone Amphan is very likely to move north-northeastwards across northwest Bay of Bengal and cross West Bengal–Bangladesh coasts between Dig and Hatiya Islands in Bangladesh close to Sundarbans today afternoon/evening as an extremely severe cyclonic storm, the India Meteorological Department informed.

07:50 May 19

'Amphan' likely to turn to Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm today

New Delhi:Cyclone Amphan stood about 600 km south of Paradip(Odisha) and 750 km south-southwest of Digha (West Bengal) at 11.30 pm on Monday.

"The Super Cyclonic AMPHAN at 23:30 hrs IST of May 18, 2020, lies near latitude 14.9 degrees N and longitude 86.5 degrees E over Westcentral Bay of Bengal about 600 km nearly south of Paradip (Odisha), 750 km south-southwest of Digha (West Bengal)," IMD tweeted.

Earlier yesterday, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla spoke to Chief Secretaries of West Bengal and Odisha - Rajiva Sinha and Asit Tripathy - in view of arrangements and preparedness against Cyclone Amphan.

The Ministry of earth sciences had said that the storm is very likely to move nearly northwards for some more time and then north-northwestwards across the northwest Bay of Bengal and cross West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts between Digha (West Bengal) and Hatiya Islands (Bangladesh) close to Sundarbans during the afternoon or evening of May 20th as an extremely severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 165-175 Kmph gusting to 185 Kmph.

(With inputs from ANI)