Where Will Cyclone Amphan Hit And Which Areas Will It Affect? Here's All You Need To Know

Cyclone Amphan is likely to move across the northeast Bay of Bengal, and cross the West Bengal and Bangladesh coasts between Digha and the Hatia island on May 20.

Satellite image of Cyclon Amphan. Courtesy: @Twitter/@IMDWeather

New Delhi: As the country is busy combating the Covid-19 crisis, another major development has concerned the nation. The Cyclone 'Amphan' has turned into an extremely severe storm and is likely to move across the northeast Bay of Bengal, and cross the West Bengal and Bangladesh coasts between Digha and the Hatia island on May 20. A year after Odisha successfully battled the Cyclone 'Fani', the state is once again evacuating people to protect them from 'Amphan'. Amphan, had formed over the central parts of the South Bay of Bengal and adjoining the central Bay of Bengal, moved nearly northwards with a speed of 13 kmph during the past six hours and lay centered over west-central and adjoining central parts of south Bay of Bengal about 790 km nearly south of Paradip (Odisha), 940 km south-southwest of Digha (West Bengal) and 1,060 km south-southwest of Khepupara (Bangladesh). According to the predictions revealed by IMD as on their website, here are the areas that are most likely to be affected by certain weather conditions.

Rainfall

West Bengal: Coastal districts of West Bengal which include East Medinipur, South and North 24 Parganas are likely to experience light to moderate rainfall at many places with a heavy downpour in certain isolates areas on May 19. Most areas may witness rainfall with heavy rains at a few places and extremely heavy rains over East and West Medinipur, South & North 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hoogli, Kolkata and nearby districts on May 20. Interior districts may witness heavy rains on May 21. Odisha: Coastal areas are likely to experience light t moderate rainfall with heavy downpour over Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Jagatshinghpur and Kendrapara districts from May 18. Heavy to very heavy rainfall in north coastal Odisha such as the Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Jajpur, Baladire, Bhadrak and Mayurbhanj districts with isolated heavy rainfalls over Khordha and Puri districts on May 19. On May 20, Bhadrak, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Jajpur, Kensrapara and Keonjhar districts in North Odisha are likely to witness heavy isolated rainfall. Sub Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim: Light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy falls at a few places over Malda and Dinajpur districts on May 20 and over most districts of Sub Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim on May 21. Assam & Meghalaya: Light to moderate rains at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall over westen districts of Assam & Meghalaya on May 21.

Wind Warning

West Bengal & Odisha • Squally wind speed reaching 45 to 55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph is likely to commence along and off south Odisha coast from 18th evening, increase becoming 55 to 65 kmph gusting to 75 kmph extend to along & off north Odisha coast from 19111 mornings and along and off West Bengal coast from 19th afternoon. •  The wind speed will gradually increase becoming gale wind speed reaching 75 to 85 kmph gusting to 95 kmph from 20th morning along and off north Odisha (Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts) and West Bengal (east & west Medinipur, south & north 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hoogli, Kolkata Districts). It will gradually increase thereafter becoming 110 to 120 kmph gusting to 135 kmph along & off the above-mentioned districts of North Odisha. • Gale wind speed reaching 165 to 175 kmph gusting to 195 kmph very likely along & off east Medinipur and north & south 24 Parganas districts and 100-110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph over Kolkata, Hoogli, Howrah and West Mednipur Districts of West Bengal during the time of landfall (20th afternoon to night). • Squally wind speed reaching 55-65 kmph gusting to 75 kmph likely to prevail over Puri, Khordha, Cuttack, Jaipur districts of Odisha during 20th May 2020.

Storm Surge

Storm Surge of about 4-5 meters above Astronomical Tide is likely to inundate low lying areas of south & north 24 Parganas and about 3-4 meters over the low lying areas of East Medinipur District of West Bengal during the time of Landfall. Overall in West Bengal - East Medinipur, south & north 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hoogli and Kolkata districts have been advised to be on alert for damages. Whereas in Odisha - Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore, Jajpur & Mayurbhanj need to be looked out for. (Source: IMD) WATCH: Cyclone Amphan: PM Modi to hold a meeting with NDA & home ministry | Special Bulletin