An extremely severe cyclone packing winds of up to 190 kmph Wednesday rampaged through coastal Odisha and West Bengal, dumping heavy rain, swamping homes and farmland, officials said.
While man and a woman were reported killed when trees came crashing down on them in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, a 13-year-old girl died in a similar incident in adjoining Howrah.
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.
Total number of samples tested is 28,34,798; number of samples tested in 24 hours is 1,15,364: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
#CycloneApmhan 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) pic.twitter.com/Qzj7FXuHO6
— ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2020
Odisha: Shops open in Patrapada area of Balasore as normalcy returns here, a day after heavy rainfall and strong winds - due to #CycloneAmphan - hit the region and other parts of the state. pic.twitter.com/f5kzxfoyU5
— ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2020
105-member Kerala medical team travels to UAE for COVID mission. The team, second from Kerala this month, includes critical care nurses and doctors. They will work in various COVID-19 hospitals across UAE adding to the nation’s existing workforce @NewIndianXpress @xpresskerala pic.twitter.com/lPP4zrt4iB
— Rajesh Abraham (@pendown) May 21, 2020
#Lockdown4: #APSRTC buses out of depots; first bus from #Kakinada leaves to #Vizag @NewIndianXpress pic.twitter.com/Ahzr6pSYvX
— TNIE Andhra Pradesh (@xpressandhra) May 21, 2020
West Bengal: Trees uprooted & waterlogging in several parts of Kolkata in wake of #CycloneAmphan. The cyclone is very likely to weaken into a deep depression during the next 3 hours as per India Meteorological Department (IMD). pic.twitter.com/f81DZw3a0W
— ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2020
Restoration work by National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel underway at Airport Road in Kolkata, West Bengal: SN Pradhan, Director General of National Disaster Response Force #CycloneAmphan pic.twitter.com/wVmiiTNOjl
— ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2020
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 pic.twitter.com/DgwUsyNZu6
— ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2020
Most-affected areas in South 24 Parganas, West Bengal: Patharpratima, Namkhana, Basanti Kultali, Baruipur, Sonarpur, Bhangar: WB Govt sources #AmphanSuperCyclone @NewIndianXpress @XpressOdisha
— Soumika Das (@dsoumika13) May 20, 2020
We stand w/ India & Bangladesh as they prep for Cyclone Amphan. We support them via our disaster assistance efforts in the region, including @USAID’s construction & restoration of 550+ shelters in Bangladesh since 2001 & @NOAA's work w/ India to improve cyclone forecasting. AGW
— State_SCA (@State_SCA) May 20, 2020
The very severe cyclonic storm Amphan lay centred at 2130 hrs IST of today, over West Bengal near latitude 22.8°N and longitude 88.7°E about 50 km northeast of Kolkata: India Meteorological Department
SUPER CYCLONE ‘AMPHAN’ CROSSED WEST BENGAL-BANGLADESH COASTS AS A VERY SEVERE CYCLONIC STORM WITH THE SPEED OF 155-165 KMPH GUSTING TO 185 KMPH ACROSS SUNDERBAN NEAR LAT. 21.65°N AND LONG. 88.3°E. AND LAY CENTRED AT 1930 HRS IST OF TODAY, THE 20TH MAY 2020. pic.twitter.com/uZ04sKKyau
— India Met. Dept. (@Indiametdept) May 20, 2020
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, Stephane 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.
After the extremely severe cyclonic storm rolled past the Odisha coast, triggering heavy downpour and fierce winds, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Pradeep Kumar Jena said the collectors have been asked to submit the reports on the extent of damage in their respective districts within 48 hours. (READ MORE)
India Meteorological Department Director General Mrityunjay Mohapatra, who jointly addressed the media with Pradhan, said gale-strength winds speeding at 160-170 kmph were pounding South and North 24 Parganas and East Midnapore districts and could be gusting up to 185 kmph. (READ MORE)
#WATCH: Strong winds and heavy rain damaged Police barricading at Howrah Bridge, earlier today. #CycloneAmphan #WestBengal pic.twitter.com/bSi923BXkn
— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2020
19 NDRF teams have been deployed in coastal areas of West Bengal. NDRF teams assisted the local administration in the safe evacuation of more than 5 lakh people to safer places, till now: Public Relations, National Disaster Response Force
NDRF has deployed its 39 self-contained rescue & relief teams in coastal areas of West Bengal & Odisha in view of Cyclonic Storm #Amphan. As many as 20 NDRF teams are deployed in the coastal areas of Odisha: Public Relations, National Disaster Response Force
Power cuts reported in some areas of Kolkata following strong winds and heavy rain.
#Amphan crossed as a very severe cyclonic storm. While crossing its wind speed was 155-165 kmph gusting to 185 kmph. Now it's located 35 km northeast of Sagar island (West Bengal),70 km south of Kolkata,95 km east-northeast of Digha: HR Biswas,Director of IMD Bhubaneswar (Odisha) pic.twitter.com/1Df3mFpn0o
— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2020
#CycloneAmphanUpdate :: Latest Hourly Update
— NDMA India (@ndmaindia) May 20, 2020
The Very Severe #CycloneAmphan lay centered at 1930 HRS IST of today, 20th May 2020, over #WestBengal near LAT. 22.6°N & LONG. 88.5°E, close to #Kolkata.@IMDWeather #Cyclone pic.twitter.com/8esoLMxzIe
Mamata had directed the control room to cut off the power supply in these areas. According to sources, "The Chief Minister will be staying in the State Secretariat to monitor the situation from the control room."
5500 houses damaged, 2 persons dead and 2 severely injured in North 24 Parganas, as per 7 pm report by Bibek Vasme, Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Basirhat.
A teenage girl passed away in Howrah district after being hit by a tin-shed becoming the third victim to the Super Cyclone in West Bengal.
Super Cyclone 'Amphan' crossed West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts as a very severe cyclonic storm with the speed of 155-165 kmph gusting to 185 kmph across Sunderban.
A 3-month-old boy of Dakhunapari village under Kanpada gram panchayat in Bhadrak died after a wall in his house collapsed due to heavy rain caused by #Amphan on Wednesday @XpressOdisha @NewIndianXpress
— Diana Sahu (@DianaSahu_TNIE) May 20, 2020
In case of an emergency, call Control Room Numbers:
033-2214-3024
033-2214-1310
033-2214-3230
Whatsapp Number: 9432624365
Our solidarity and support with the people affected by the cyclone. Praying for everyone's safety and well-being. #CycloneAmphan
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) May 20, 2020
Extremely severe cyclone Amphan made landfall between Digha, West Bengal, and Hatia island in Bangladesh leaving a trail of destruction and claiming two lives. One teenager died in Howrah district and a woman passed away in Minakha, North 24-Parganas district. The extent of damage is yet to be ascertained. (READ MORE)
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. He said strong winds with an intensity of 160 kilometres per hour have commenced in coastal West Bengal districts. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)
Visuals from Kolkata where a tree was uprooted due to heavy rain and strong winds caused by #CycloneAmphan.
— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) May 20, 2020
Follow #CycloneAmphanUpdates here: https://t.co/f8qFRnaIGI pic.twitter.com/Z6axQ123qg
Super Cyclone #Amphan is crossing West Bengal Coast between Digha&Hatiya close to Sunderban. The forward sector of wall clouds has entered into the land. Landfall process will continue and take 2-3 hours to complete: India Meteorological Department in a bulletin issued at 4:30 pm
— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2020
#AmphanSuperCyclone | Heavy winds blow in Sagar Islands, West Bengal where #CycloneAmphan has made a downfall.
— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) May 20, 2020
Visuals: Kolkata Port Trust pic.twitter.com/hbdni8cBnz
West Bengal: National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel clear electricity wires and uprooted trees off the road between Digha in East Midnapore district and Odisha border. The landfall process of #CycloneAmphan commenced since 2:30 PM, will continue for about 4 hours. pic.twitter.com/IKZ1QE3Gr1
— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2020
The landfall process commenced since 2:30 PM, will continue for about 4 hours. The forward sector of the wall cloud region is entering into land in West Bengal: Director, IMD Bhubaneswar #CycloneAmphan pic.twitter.com/bbAznoaz3f
— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2020
Strong winds ravage through Talasari beach in Balasore district as #CycloneAmphan passes through Odisha.
— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) May 20, 2020
Express Video | @Biswanath_TNIE @XpressOdisha #AmphanSuperCyclone pic.twitter.com/1FKxogKxbl
#AmphanSuperCyclone to move north-northeastwards and cross West Bengal-Bangladesh coast between Digha and Hatiya close to Sunderbans during late afternoon to evening hours of today (1600 hours IST onwards) with a wind speed of 155-165 kmph gusting to 185 kmph: IMD pic.twitter.com/DtDgZeeJYZ
— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2020
Extremely severe cyclone 'Amphan' hurtled towards Indian shores on Wednesday, triggering downpour in coastal Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal, uprooting trees, flattening fragile dwellings and forcing evacuation of over four lakh people, officials said. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)
#CycloneAmphanUpdate | Indian Coast Guard deploys seven ships along the eastern seaboard for initial assessment, search and rescue and relief operations for #CycloneAmphan. 20 Coast Guard Disaster Relief Teams standby for immediate mobilisation, reports @scribesoldier.
— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) May 20, 2020
Both the mother and the newborn are healthy and have been shifted to Mahakalpada government-run community health centre in the district, Deputy Fire Officer P K Dash said. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)
#CycloneAmphan centered at 12:30 pm as an extremely severe cyclonic storm over northwest Bay of Bengal about 95 km south-southeast of Digha, West Bengal: Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) pic.twitter.com/OZECXUYTwm
— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2020
#CycloneAmphan gains intensity as it barrels along the east India coast. A casuarina tree was uprooted in the strong winds and damaged a battery-operated three-wheeler in #Odisha. @TheHemantRout @XpressOdisha pic.twitter.com/XHc831uQzR
— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) May 20, 2020
West Bengal: Villagers and livestock in Jogeshganj, North 24 Paraganas being shifted to a shelter, as cyclone Amphan is expected to make a landfall today evening pic.twitter.com/792B2p8ld5
— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2020
As #CycloneAmphan approaches fast towards #WestBengal coast, #Digha police warns people & local traders to not come out open. #AmphanUpdates @NewIndianXpress pic.twitter.com/s7ykvqtMIU
— Hemant Kumar Rout #StayHomeStaySafe (@TheHemantRout) May 20, 2020
UPDATE - #SuperCycloneAmphan 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 pic.twitter.com/M6h7NWRbrC
— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2020
Supercyclone #Amphan destroyed #banana plantation in Sivathaiapuram, Servaikaranmadam, Sawyerpuram, Peikulam, Kulayankarisal, Athimarapatti, Kootampuli and other surrounding villages. #Thoothukudi @xpresstn @VinodhArulappan @CollectorTuty pic.twitter.com/oYltb6HMnL
— Godson Wisely Dass (@tnie_godson) May 20, 2020
WATCH| A brief news bulletin from the Tamil Nadu bureau of The New Indian Express
— TNIE Tamil Nadu (@xpresstn) May 20, 2020
Scroll down the thread for more details and stories.@NewIndianXpress @SushmithaRam #TamilNadu #TamilNaduCoronaupdate #TamilNadulockdown #Chennai #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/0kEOIjHLjS
Wind speed has picked up near coastal Odisha and is blowing at around 100 kmph at Paradip. Wind is not that strong in West Bengal. Odisha has evacuated nearly 1.5 lakh people from Balasore, Bhadrak and West Bengal has evacuated over 3.3 lakh people: NDRF Chief SN Pradhan.
#AmphanUpdates from @IMDWeather
— Sudarsan Maharana (@Sud_TNIE) May 20, 2020
Current intensity of the powerful tropical storm is around 175 kmph.@NewIndianXpress pic.twitter.com/r2csQWnjQb
Sea water surges into Chandanipal village under Dhamra police station of Bhadrak district in Odisha.@XpressOdisha #CycloneAmphan #CycloneAmphanUpdate pic.twitter.com/e1Vt31jB3P
— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) May 20, 2020
Fishermen return home after shifting boats to a safe place at Talasari beach in Odisha's Balasore district as super #CycloneAmphan is expected to make landfall today.
— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) May 20, 2020
Express photos | @Biswanath_TNIE.@XpressOdisha pic.twitter.com/Mo0Vq9Nd0A
Cyclone Amphan lies 177km south southeast of Digha. After landfall, it is likely to move north northeast close to Kolkata. At the time of crossing coast, wind speed to be around 155-165kmph. It is likely to retain intensity as cyclone till May 21 morning: Deputy Director, IMD Kolkata.
#SuperCycloneAmphan about 120 km east of Paradip (Odisha) at 10:30 am. To cross West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts between Digha (West Bengal) and Hatiya Islands (Bangladesh) close to Sunderbans. Landfall process to commence from the afternoon: India Meteorological Department (IMD) pic.twitter.com/MAwVsOVVuA
— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2020
Indian Coast Guard ships and aircraft are kept at stand by for deployment to undertake area scan, search and rescue and relief efforts.
Cyclone #Amphan to move north-northeastwards and cross West Bengal-Bangladesh coast between Digha & Hatiya close to Sunderbans during afternoon to evening today with a wind speed of 155-165kmph gusting to 185 kmph: IMD pic.twitter.com/3hhvXTNjq3
— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2020
Strong winds triggered by #CycloneAmphan witnessed in Odisha's Bhadrak. @XpressOdisha #CycloneAmphanUpdate pic.twitter.com/Wqo5zoLqDX
— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) May 20, 2020
All operations suspended at Kolkata Airport till 5 am tomorrow in view of Cyclone Amphan including special flights, which were operational in view of COVID-19 pandemic: Airport Director of West Bengal.
West Bengal: A disaster management and civil defence personnel urges citizens to stay indoors as Digha sees high tide and strong winds pic.twitter.com/oTEARNjODC
— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2020
#WATCH High tide at Digha in East Medinipur, as #CycloneAmphan is expected to make landfall today. #WestBengal
— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2020
(Source: NDRF) pic.twitter.com/QMYTR0IYFS
#ExpressUpdate: Fire services on duty to remove trees uprooted in #Bhadrak under impact of strong wind induced by #CycloneAmphan @NewIndianXpress @XpressOdisha pic.twitter.com/biLju54Sdk
— Siba Mohanty (@Siba_TNIE) May 20, 2020
So far no reports of damage to life and property have come in from Bhadrak, Balasore, Kendrapara districts. The administration had moved swiftly to evacuate people to safer places as it apprehended gale wind reaching a speed of 125 km per hour since the tropical cyclone is to brush past the northern coasts on its way to West Bengal and Bangladesh coast where it is expected to make landfall by afternoon. (READ FULL STORY HERE)
The Jayadev Vihar-Nandankanan Road in #Bhubaneswar now as wind speed picks up slowly #CycloneAmphan @NewIndianXpress @XpressOdisha pic.twitter.com/wloXylAQeb
— Siba Mohanty (@Siba_TNIE) May 20, 2020
This is the Bhadrak-Chandbali highway #CycloneAmphan @NewIndianXpress @XpressOdisha pic.twitter.com/hkC18BkLZx
— Siba Mohanty (@Siba_TNIE) May 20, 2020
As if the Covid-19 pandemic was not bad enough, West Bengal and Odisha now have a natural calamity to stand up to. Tropical cyclone Amphan, which brewed over the Bay of Bengal long enough to turn into a super cyclone over the sea, has now weakened a bit. But by the time it reaches the West Bengal-Bangladesh coast between Digha and Hatiya as predicted on Wednesday, it would still be a fierce storm powerful enough to wreak havoc. (READ THE FULL EDITORIAL HERE)
Andhra Pradesh: Water entered into the houses of locals and damaged their belongings, as strong winds and waves lashed the coast of Visakhapatnam. (19.05.2020) #CycloneAmphan pic.twitter.com/scWVFv7OAR
— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2020
#WATCH: Rainfall and strong winds hit Bhadrak in Odisha. #CycloneAmphan is expected to make landfall today. pic.twitter.com/X8xF9aZ6cf
— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2020
Paradip (Odisha) reported wind speed of 82 kmph (44 knots) at 0430 hrs IST and rainfall 11.0 mm (hourly)/ 144.1mm (progressive total): India Meteorological Department #CycloneAmphan pic.twitter.com/XcwBgpQJ1F
— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2020
19 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been deployed in West Bengal- six teams in South-24 Parganas, four teams each in East Midnapore and Kolkata, three teams in North-24 Parganas, one team each in Hooghly and Howrah: Nishit Upadhyay, NDRF second Battalion Commandant.
1704 shelter camps have been set up and 119075 people have been evacuated so far in Odisha in view of #CycloneAmphan. pic.twitter.com/CJjqA2PhCg
— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2020
Odisha: Strong winds and high tides at Chandipur in Balasore district, as #CycloneAmphan is expected to make landfall today. pic.twitter.com/4Na7Xbsc4C
— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2020
#WATCH Odisha: Strong winds and high tides at Chandipur in Balasore district, as #CycloneAmphan is expected to make landfall today. pic.twitter.com/KQZnGTuaq8
— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2020
#WATCH Odisha: Strong winds of up to 82 km/ph speed hit Paradip. #CycloneAmphan is expected to make landfall today. pic.twitter.com/8bgyZ2Augq
— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2020
#SuperCycloneAmphan centered at 6:30 am today as an extremely severe cyclonic storm over northwest Bay of Bengal, about 125 km nearly south-southeast of Paradip: India Meteorological Department (IMD) pic.twitter.com/Nt7LvOfRHC
— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2020