Amphan To Hit Bengal Coast In The Afternoon, State Evacuates Over 3 Lakh People From Coastal Districts

Amphan is inching closer to make landfall on the West Bengal coast. In one of the biggest evacuation exercises, the state has evacuated over 3 lakh people from coastal districts.

Photo Credit: ANI

New Delhi: Amphan is inching closer to landfall in the Bengal coast which is expected to happen from the afternoon today. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Kolkata has informed that the ‘Cyclone Amphan lies 177km south southeast of Digha.  After landfall, it is likely that it will move north northeast close to Kolkata. At the time of crossing coast, the wind speed will be around 155-165kmph and the cyclone is likely to retain intensity till May 21 morning West Bengal has already started preparing for the impact of the cyclone and according to reports by PTI, it mounted one of its biggest evacuation exercises yesterday. More than 3 lakh people were moved to safer places especially from districts that will be severely impacted by the cyclone. From South 24 Parganas district, 2 lakh people have been evacuated while 50,000 have been relocated in North 24 parganas district. In East Midnapore 40,000 people and about 10,000 in West Midnapore district have been shifted to safer locations. The West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has also said that steps are being taken to deal with any situation arising out of cyclone 'Amphan'. Reports say that Banerjee also formed a task force headed by Chief Secretary Rajiva Sinha to oversee all the preparation. “This cyclonic storm is going to be more disastrous than cyclone Aila. I urge all the people, especially those living in the coastal areas, to stay safe. They should not venture out in the open tomorrow after 12 noon. We have opened an emergency helpline at the state secretariat Nabanna to keep a close watch on the situation," said Banerjee during a press conference regarding Amphan. Apart from this 12 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are also on standby to handle the situation in the coastal districts. Banerjee had also talked to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah who gave assurance about the Central Government's assistance to the state. Do Watch: Cyclone Amphan to make a landfall today, winds at 185 kmph likely (With inputs from agencies)