Cyclone Amphan HIGHLIGHTS: No Stones Will Be Left Unturned To Help Bengal, Says PM Modi

Cyclone Amphan Updates: Cyclone Amphan which is battering India and Bangladesh has so far killed at least 72 people in West Bengal's six districts and 12 people in seven coastal districts of Bangladesh. The super cyclonic storm is now turning into a land depression.Reports from Bangladeshi media said the cyclone is likely to move further in a north-northeasterly direction and weaken graduallyThe seven districts where the destruction and loss of lives have taken place in Bangladesh are Patuakhali, Satkhira, Pirojpur, Bhola and Barguna.The Bangladesh Met Office instructed the maritime ports to lower great danger signals and hoist local cautionary signal No. 3 instead, said Shamsuddin Ahmed, Director of the weather office was quoted as sayingIt;s double whammy for West Bengal and Bangladesh which have been overwrought with the rising cases of Coronavirus and now Cyclone Amphan which is causing mayhem. The maritime ports of Mongla and Payra in Bangladesh have been asked by authorities to keep following great danger signal No. 10, while Chattogram and Cox's Bazar ports were advised to continue hoisting great danger signal No. 9, as Cyclone Amphan approached the coast. As per details available, the low lying areas of the coastal districts and their offshore islands and chars were submerged by storm that surged 10-15 feet above the normal astronomical tide.Several parts of neighbouring West Bengal and Odisha have been lashed by gusty winds and heavy rains and so far the death toll recorded from both states is 20.Check all HIGHLIGHTS and visuals of Amphan Cyclone in India.

Background

Amphan Cyclone:  Cyclone Amphan, which has weakened from a super cyclone to an 'extremely severe cyclonic storm', will make a landfall in Bengal between Wednesday afternoon and evening even as strong winds accompanied by heavy rain lashed different south Bengal districts since morning. Strong winds and heavy rain continue to lash Chandipur and other parts of Odisha, as widespread effect of Amphan Cyclone.Amphan (which is pronounced UM-PUN) lays 155-km south-southeast of Paradip in Odisha, 177-km south of Digha and 260 km from West Bengal capital Kolkata. It has moved towards north-northeast with a speed of 22 km/hour during the past 6 hours. According to MeT Department sources, Amphan will move towards north-northeast and pass through the West Bengal-Bangladesh coastline between Digha and Hatiya Island, located close to Sunderbans region, with a wind speed of 155-165 km/hour gusting to 185 km/hour.Over 3 lakh people have already been evacuated from the coastal districts of West Bengal, including East Midnapore, South 24-Parganas, and North 24-Parganas.Other south Bengal districts like West Midnapore, Howrah, Hooghly, and Kolkata will also experience heavy rain during the cyclonic spell -- one of the worst storms over the Bay of Bengal since 1999.Indian Navy has said that the Eastern Naval Command is monitoring the developments in the Bay of Bengal closely & Naval Officers-in-Charge (West Bengal) & (Odisha) are in constant communication with respective State Administrations to augment rescue and relief operations as needed.

21/05/2020 16:56:27

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee this afternoon said as many has 72 people have died in the state in the aftermath of Cyclone Amphan of which 15 are from state capital Kolkata. The chief minister has asked PM Modi to visit and assess the situation in the state.

21/05/2020 15:23:43

In touch with service providers for restoration of mobile connectivity and internet. In such stressful situation is essential for reach out. Take care of yourself and others in need. Damage has indeed been painfully huge. Awaiting report @MamataOfficial for further steps, tweeted West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankar.

21/05/2020 14:58:22

Total 19 died due to devastating cyclone in six districts in West Bengal.



Four died due to electrocution at Budge Budge in South 24 Parganas district.



Three died so far in Coastal area in South 24 Parganas district .



A 37 year old man died due to tree fall on him at Bishnupur



Two died at Parnashree due to cyclone.



A youth died due to electrocution near Joyrampur Post office.



Two died after tree fell on their house at Chakdah in Nadia district.



75 years old man died after wall collapsed at Kalyani in Nadia district last night when cyclone hit the place .



Two bikers died after being electrocuted at Batra in Howrah district today morning.



One died after tree fell on him at Basberia in Hooghly district. A 35 year old youth died after house collapsed at Chinsura.



32 year old youth died of electrocution at Belur.

21/05/2020 13:56:55

"My thoughts are with the people of Odisha as the state bravely battles the effects of Cyclone Amphan. Authorities are working on the ground to ensure all possible assistance to the those affected. I pray that the situation normalises at the earliest," tweets PM Narendra Modi.

21/05/2020 13:46:51

The seven districts in Bangladesh where the destruction and loss of lives have taken place are Patuakhali, Satkhira, Pirojpur, Bhola and Barguna.

21/05/2020 12:43:53

Amphan Death Toll: At least 12 people have been killed in West Bengal and 1 in Odisha while neighbouring Bangladesh is seeing loss of 9 lives so far.

21/05/2020 11:19:50

Seven killed as cyclone Amphan batters Bangladesh



At least seven persons, including a six-year-old boy, were killed as a powerful cyclone battered Bangladesh, inundating many areas and damaging scores of houses, authorities said on Thursday.



Cyclone 'Amphan', the strongest to hit the region in nearly two decades, made a landfall on Wednesday evening. It was the most powerful storm since cyclone 'Sidr' killed nearly 3,500 people in 2007.

Many low-lying areas were inundated, embankments collapsed, trees uprooted and houses damaged by the cyclone in the coastal districts of Bangladesh, the Dhaka Tribune reported.

21/05/2020 09:52:17

Cyclone Apmhan moved north-northeastwards with a speed of 27 km/ph during past 6 hours, further weakened into a cyclonic storm & lay centered over Bangladesh, about 270 km north-northeast of Kolkata: India Meteorological Department (IMD)

21/05/2020 09:52:45

Cyclone Apmhan moved north-northeastwards with a speed of 27 km/ph during past 6 hours, further weakened into a cyclonic storm & lay centered over Bangladesh, about 270 km north-northeast of Kolkata: India Meteorological Department (IMD)

21/05/2020 09:47:07

Severe cyclonic storm #Amphan over Bangladesh & adjoining West Bengal coast moved north-northeastwards with a speed of 30 km/ph during the past 6 hours. Very likely to continue to move north-northeastwards & weaken further into a deep depression during the next 3 hours: IMD

21/05/2020 07:41:15

Mamata Says 10-12 people dead:



(PTI)



West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is monitoring the situation from Nabanna, the state secretariat, however, claimed at least 10-12 people lost their lives.

"Area after area has been ruined. I have experienced a war-like situation today. At least 10-12 people have died.

Nandigram, Ramnagar....the two districts of North and South 24 Parganas are destroyed," she said.

21/05/2020 07:39:45

Bangladesh: 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 three persons.

21/05/2020 07:28:36

Reports said that Amphan has already destroyed over 5,000 houses in Minakhan, Haroa, Basirhat Hingalgunj and Hasnabad areas of North 24 Parganas district.

21/05/2020 07:24:30

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, "We are not getting proper reports as the connections have been completely cut off due to the storm. But the total losses are likely to amount to thousands of crores. It will take at least 3-4 days to do an initial assessment of the losses. Many bridges and kutcha houses have been completely ravaged."

20/05/2020 22:17:13

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, "We are not getting proper reports as the connections have been completely cut off due to the storm. But the total losses are likely to amount to thousands of crores. It will take at least 3-4 days to do an initial assessment of the losses. Many bridges and kutcha houses have been completely ravaged."

20/05/2020 22:09:10

Cyclone Amphan: UN, Bangladesh working on preparedness, response activities




The United Nations and the Bangladesh government are making preparations as the powerful cyclone Amphan makes landfall in the region, a UN spokesperson said. The Secretary-General's spokesman, St phane Dujarric, said that the Humanitarian Coordination Task Team, co-led by the UN and the Government of Bangladesh, is working on preparedness and response activities.




"Our humanitarian colleagues tell us that the UN and the Government are making preparations as Super Cyclone Storm Amphan is set to make landfall," Dujarric said, adding that more than 14 million people may be impacted by the cyclone in the country.

20/05/2020 21:39:51

Cyclone Amphan: UN, Bangladesh working on preparedness, response activities




The United Nations and the Bangladesh government are making preparations as the powerful cyclone Amphan makes landfall in the region, a UN spokesperson said. The Secretary-General's spokesman, St phane Dujarric, said that the Humanitarian Coordination Task Team, co-led by the UN and the Government of Bangladesh, is working on preparedness and response activities.




"Our humanitarian colleagues tell us that the UN and the Government are making preparations as Super Cyclone Storm Amphan is set to make landfall," Dujarric said, adding that more than 14 million people may be impacted by the cyclone in the country.

20/05/2020 21:36:54

Cyclone Amphan: UN, Bangladesh working on preparedness, response activities




The United Nations and the Bangladesh government are making preparations as the powerful cyclone Amphan makes landfall in the region, a UN spokesperson said. The Secretary-General's spokesman, St phane Dujarric, said that the Humanitarian Coordination Task Team, co-led by the UN and the Government of Bangladesh, is working on preparedness and response activities.




"Our humanitarian colleagues tell us that the UN and the Government are making preparations as Super Cyclone Storm Amphan is set to make landfall," Dujarric said, adding that more than 14 million people may be impacted by the cyclone in the country.

20/05/2020 21:02:36

The Odisha government on Wednesday asked the district collectors to submit cyclone Amphan damage assessment reports within 48 hours. Cyclone Amphan has caused widespread damage in the coastal districts on Wednesday.

20/05/2020 20:23:32

Death toll due to cyclone Amphan has climed to 4 as strong storm with 160-170 kmph speed ravages coastal areas of West Bengal.

20/05/2020 20:08:13

Death toll due to cyclone Amphan has climed to 4 as strong storm with 160-170 kmph speed ravages coastal areas of West Bengal.

20/05/2020 20:05:22

Rains lashed parts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts while huge tidal waves lashed the coastline at few places in the coastal belt. However, no loss of life or property damage was reported from any part of the region, officials said.

20/05/2020 20:04:55

Parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh Wednesday received rains accompanied by strong winds while the sea was rough with storm surge under the impact of super cyclone 'Amphan' which made landfall in West Bengal.

20/05/2020 19:38:24

The heavy storm has resulted in uprooting of trees, communications and power transmission poles, bending of telephone lines and extensive damage to kutcha and even pucca houses and crops and plantations in many districts of West Bengal and Odisha.

20/05/2020 19:33:04

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had said that Amphan's landfall process began in Sundarbans in West Bengal in the afternoon on Wednesday and is expected to continue till the evening.

20/05/2020 19:22:53

'Amphan' weakens into Very Severe Cyclone Storm




Cyclone 'Amphan' weakened into a Very Severe Cyclone Storm, while half of its eye is over land and the entire eye will be over too soon, the India Meteorological Department said on Wednesday evening.




The Super Cyclone had on Tuesday weakened into an Extremely Severe Cyclone Storm and now to a Very Severe Cyclone Storm. According to the weather agency's data, it will dull down to Severe Cyclonic Storm by 11 p.m. on Wednesday, Cyclonic Storm by 5.30 a.m. and Depression at 11.30 a.m. on Thursday.

20/05/2020 18:33:05

JUST IN | As per the latest update by IMD, cyclone Amphan is currently passing through Kolkata. Heavy rainfall is being reported in various parts of West Bengal with several trees getting uprooted due to strong wind.

20/05/2020 18:11:41

Cyclone Amphan recent updates:




Kolkata: Extremely severe cyclonic storm 'Amphan' made a landfall at 2:30 pm on Wednesday between Digha in West Bengal and Hatiya island in Bangladesh, the meteorological department said.




Bhubaneswar: Cyclone "Amphan" left a trail of destruction in Odisha as it triggered heavy downpour coupled with high-velocity winds while hurtling towards the West Bengal coast on Wednesday, uprooting trees and flattening fragile structures.




Bengaluru: A loud 'thundering' sound in several parts of Bengaluru on Wednesday afternoon triggered panic among the residents, while the officials ruled out the possibility of it being an earthquake.




Dhaka: 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 a landfall on the costal districts, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Wednesday.

20/05/2020 18:04:11

Cyclone Amphan is crossing West Bengal coast between Digha (West Bengal) and Hatiya Islands (Bangladesh) close to Sunderbans. Landfall process commenced at 2:30 PM. It will continue and take 2-3 hours to complete. (Graph Source: IMD)

Cyclone Amphan is crossing West Bengal coast between Digha (West Bengal) and Hatiya Islands (Bangladesh) close to Sunderbans. Landfall process commenced at 2:30 PM. It will continue and take 2-3 hours to complete. (Graph Source: IMD)

20/05/2020 18:03:27

Cyclone "Amphan" left a trail of destruction in Odisha as it triggered heavy downpour coupled with high-velocity winds while hurtling towards the West Bengal coast on Wednesday, uprooting trees and flattening fragile structures, officials said.

20/05/2020 18:02:32

Cyclone Amphan to completely enter land by 7 PM: IMD




Cyclone Amphan is currently crossing the West Bengal coast near the Sunderbans and will reach near Kolkata by evening, IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said on Wednesday as the storm was making a landfall.




"We are hopeful that by 7 PM the entire cyclone will enter the land," he added. Strong winds with an intensity of 160 kilometres per hour have commenced in coastal West Bengal districts.

20/05/2020 17:56:48

Cyclone Amphan to completely enter land by 7 PM: IMD




Cyclone Amphan is currently crossing the West Bengal coast near the Sunderbans and will reach near Kolkata by evening, IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said on Wednesday as the storm was making a landfall.




"We are hopeful that by 7 PM the entire cyclone will enter the land," he added. Strong winds with an intensity of 160 kilometres per hour have commenced in coastal West Bengal districts.

20/05/2020 17:56:14

A total of 1,48,486 people have been evacuated from low-laying areas, and thatched and mud houses, and accommodated in 2,921 cyclone shelters. Besides, 1,885 pregnant women were shifted to hospitals for better care in the last two days, said the SRC.

20/05/2020 17:54:54

A 67-year-old woman died in her house in the Satabhaya area of the Kendrapara district as ambulance didn't reach her in time. An inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of death, said the SRC.

20/05/2020 17:54:30

"We have received reports of a child's death at Tihidi in the Bhadrak district. The District Collector has sent a team, comprising tehsildar, medical and police officials. The exact cause will be ascertained after autopsy," said Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Pradeep Jena.

20/05/2020 17:52:59

"We have received reports of a child's death at Tihidi in the Bhadrak district. The District Collector has sent a team, comprising tehsildar, medical and police officials. The exact cause will be ascertained after autopsy," said Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Pradeep Jena.

20/05/2020 17:47:23

Cyclone Amphan caused havoc in the coastal districts of Odisha as it triggered heavy rainfall, coupled with high-velocity winds while moving towards the West Bengal on Wednesday. The government has received reports of two deaths from Bhadrak and Kendrapara districts due to the cyclone.

20/05/2020 17:08:50

Eye of Cyclone 'Amphan' about to touch land: IMD




The eye of Cyclone 'Amphan' is about to touch land, India Meteorological Department said on Wednesday, after the landfall process of the cyclone commenced in the afternoon.




Landfall process commenced near Sundarbans in West Bengal at 2.30 p.m. The forward sectors of the wall cloud region have hit land and the process, the IMD said, will continue for four hours.




"First arm of the cyclone has touched the land. Its eye is expected to touch land anytime soon," IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said at a press briefing.

20/05/2020 16:12:19

As per 3 p.m. update by the weather agency, "Landfall process commenced since 2.30 p.m. The forward sectors of the wall cloud region are entering into land in West Bengal and the landfall process will continue for four hours."




The Cyclone is 190 km east-northeast of Odisha's Paradip, 65 km east-southeast of West Bengal's Digha, 35 km from Sagar island and 225 km south-southwest of Khepupara in Bangladesh.

20/05/2020 16:11:24

Cyclone Amphan will move north-northeast and cross West Bengal-Bangladesh coast between Digha and Hatiya Islands close to Sundarbans around Sagar Island in afternoon with a wind speed of 165 kmph, topping to 185kmph.

20/05/2020 16:08:22

Cyclone Amphan will move north-northeast and cross West Bengal-Bangladesh coast between Digha and Hatiya Islands close to Sundarbans around Sagar Island in afternoon with a wind speed of 165 kmph, topping to 185kmph.

20/05/2020 15:53:39

Cyclone Amphan begins landfall in West Bengal




Landfall process of cyclone Amphan starts the Cyclone wall cloud is already on land, said secretary, ministry of Earth Sciences. The landfall process is expected to last for at least 4 hours and heavy rainfall is being reported in various parts of West Bengal.

20/05/2020 15:51:40

Cyclone Amphan begins landfall in West Bengal




Landfall process of cyclone Amphan starts the Cyclone wall cloud is already on land, said secretary, ministry of Earth Sciences. The landfall process is expected to last for at least 4 hours and heavy rainfall is being reported in various parts of West Bengal.

20/05/2020 15:33:50

The "extremely severe" cyclonic storm Amphan is only 100 km from Digha in West Bengal, where it is slated to make a landfall in a few hours, and is whirling at a speed of at least 160 km per hour gusting to 180 kmph.




According to an update of the India Meteorological Department, the cyclone lay currently centred about 170 km east-northeast of Odisha's Paradip, 105 km south-southeast of West Bengal's Digha and 90 km from Sagar Island and 240 km southwest of Bangladesh's Khepupara.

20/05/2020 15:24:44

BREAKING | According to latest update by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), super cyclone Amphan is currently 105 kms away from West Bengal's Digha coast and is likely to make a landfall at around 4 pm. IMD has also stated that the cyclone will cross West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts between Digha and Hatiya Islands in Bangladesh close to Sunderbans.

20/05/2020 14:05:07

Ignore Rumours, Stay Calm, Dont Panic, NDMA Issues Dos & Donts for cyclone

20/05/2020 14:06:07

Ignore Rumours, Stay Calm, Dont Panic, NDMA Issues Dos & Donts for cyclone

20/05/2020 13:58:03

Check latest visuals of cyclonic storm Amphan approaching Indian coast

20/05/2020 13:55:57

After landfall, Amphan is likely to 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

20/05/2020 13:54:31

West Bengal: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has formed a task force spearheaded by Chief Secretary Rajiva Sinha, which will monitor relief-and-rescue operations during cyclone Amphan.

20/05/2020 13:36:36

Strong winds, heavy rain in south Bengal districts



Over 3 lakh people have already been evacuated from the coastal districts of West Bengal, including East Midnapore, South 24-Parganas, and North 24-Parganas.



Other south Bengal districts like West Midnapore, Howrah, Hooghly, and Kolkata will also experience heavy rain during the cyclonic spell -- one of the worst storms over the Bay of Bengal since 1999.

Meanwhile, the departure of 02301 Howrah-New Delhi AC Special Express has been cancelled in view of cyclone Amphan on Wednesday, eastern Railway (ER) sources said. Similarly, 02302 New Delhi-Howrah AC Special Express on May 21 will also remain cancelled.

West Bengal disaster management authorities are keeping a close watch on the situation. A control room has been opened at the state Secretariat Nabanno.

20/05/2020 13:14:44

UPDATE - Super Cyclone Amphan about 125 km south-southeast of Digha (West Bengal) at 11:30 am. To cross West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts between Digha, West Bengal & Hatiya Islands, Bangladesh close to Sunderbans. Landfall process to commence from afternoon: India Meteorological Dept

20/05/2020 13:10:45

Watch: Heavy rains , accompanied by powerful winds lash parts of West Bengal, ahead of Amphan's landfall.

20/05/2020 13:04:58

Amphan To cross West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts between Digha (west Bengal) and Hatiya Islands (Bangladesh) close to Sunderbans. Landfall process to commence from afternoon.