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HIGHLIGHTS | 6.5 lakh evacuated, at least 12 dead as Cyclone 'Amphan' batters Bengal, Odisha; to weaken into 'deep depression'

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 Howrah.
A damaged temporary tent during cyclone 'Amphan' on Jaleswar-Digha road on Wednesday. (Photo | Viswanath Swain/EPS)
A damaged temporary tent during cyclone 'Amphan' on Jaleswar-Digha road on Wednesday. (Photo | Viswanath Swain/EPS)
Online Desk

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.

Testing (Molecular based) update

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).

Cyclone enters Bangladesh

Normalcy returns in Odisha

Corona warriors from Kerala depart for UAE

Public transport resumes in Andhra

Scenes of destruction from Kolkata

NDRF carries out restoration works in Bengal

Latest cyclone bulletin

List of areas in Bengal which got affected by the cyclone

US stands with India and Bangladesh as they brace for Cyclone: Alice Wells

Amphan lay centered at bout 50 km northeast of Kolkata

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

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, 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.

Odisha government asks collectors of cyclone-affected districts to submit initial report on damages

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)

Cyclone 'Amphan' batters Bengal, Odisha as 6.5 lakh evacuated, three dead

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

19 NDRF teams have been deployed in coastal areas of West Bengal

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 and relief teams

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 in Kolkata

Power cuts reported in some areas of Kolkata following strong winds and heavy rain.

Amphan crossed as a very severe cyclonic storm: Director of IMD, Bhubaneswar

Cyclone Amphan heading towards Kolkata

Mamata will be staying in State Secretariat to monitor the situation

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."

5,500 houses damaged in Bengal

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.

WATCH | Super Cyclone Amphan claims two lives, causes severe damage in south Bengal

Power supply cut off in North and South 24 Parganas of West Bengal

In view of the super cyclone, power supply has been cut off in North and South 24 Parganas of West Bengal as per CM Mamata Banerjee's orders.

Teen hit by tin shed dies in Howrah

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.

Amphan crosses West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts as very severe cyclonic storm with speed of 155-165 kmph

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.

WATCH | Amphan cyclone strongest one over Bay of Bengal in the 21st century: IMD Head

3-month-old boy dies after wall collapses due to heavy rains caused by Amphan in Odisha's Bhadrak

Here are the emergency control room numbers

In case of an emergency, call Control Room Numbers:

033-2214-3024

033-2214-1310

033-2214-3230

Whatsapp Number: 9432624365

Kejriwal expresses solidarity with people affected by cyclone

Cyclone Amphan claims two lives in West Bengal

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' to make complete landfall 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. He said strong winds with an intensity of 160 kilometres per hour have commenced in coastal West Bengal districts. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

WATCH | Tree uprooted in Kolkata due to strong winds caused by Cyclone Amphan

Cyclone Amphan crossing West Bengal coast between Digha and Hatiya

'Cyclone warning issued for Bangladesh': More updates from the IMD DG

  • South and North 24 Parganas to witness lull as eye of cyclone passes through, but heavy rains, strong winds will resume in 30 minutes

  • India also issuing cyclone warning to Bangladesh

  • Wind speed in Kolkata and adjoining districts likely to be 110-120 kmph; Damage expected

    • First arm has touched land, eye of cyclone expected to touch land soon: IMD DG

  • Strong winds have commenced in coastal West Bengal; We are getting reports that wind speed could be around 160 kmph

  • Cyclone Amphan will reach near Kolkata by Wednesday evening

  • First arm of Cyclone Amphan has touched land; Eye of cyclone is expected to touch land anytime now

    • NDRF has deployed 20 teams in Odisha, 19 teams in West Bengal

  • NDRF has deployed 20 teams in Odisha; 19 deployed in West Bengal, 2 in standby in state

  • More than 5 Lakh people have been evacuated in West Bengal and 1,58,640 people in Odisha

  • Based on experiences during cyclone FANI, all the teams are equipped with tree cutters/pole cutters for post landfall restoration, if need arises

    • WATCH | Heavy winds blow in Sagar Islands

    All flyovers in Kolkata closed, flight operations suspended till 5 am tomorrow

  • Kolkata airport authorities have suspended flight operations till 5 am tomorrow

  • All flyovers in Kolkata have been closed

  • Mud houses collapsed, trees uprooted in Kakdwip, South 24 Parganas district

    • NDRF personnel on the ground clearing electricity wires and uprooted trees

    Landfall begins, process will continue for 4 hours

     (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

    WATCH | Strong winds ravage throught Talasari beach

    Cyclone Amphan to cross West Bengal-Bangladesh coast with wind speed of 155-165 kmph: IMD

    Cyclone 'Amphan' rolls towards Indian shores, unleashes downpour, flattens dwellings

    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)

    Indian Coast Guard deploys 7 ships along eastern seaboard for initial assessment

    Woman delivers baby in fire service vehicle in Odisha's Kendrapara as cyclone 'Amphan' rages

    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)

    Cyclone nears Bengal's Digha

    WATCH | Super cyclone 'Amphan': Over 1 lakh evacuated in Odisha, WB flights suspended

    WATCH | Scenes of destruction from Odisha

    Bengal villagers prepare ahead of cyclone's landfall

    WATCH | Digha Police asks people to stay indoors

    Cyclone nears Bengal

    Tamil Nadu bears the Cyclone Amphan onslaught

    WATCH | Tamil Nadu news bulletin

    NDRF on relief efforts

    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.

    Bulletin from Odisha

    WATCH | Sea water surges into Odisha village

    Weather update from Bengal

    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.

    Latest weather bulletin

    Navy gears up for the Cyclone challenge

  • Eastern Naval Command in high degree of readiness to render necessary humanitarian assistance. Naval ships at Vizag on standby to proceed to affected areas to undertake Humanitarian Aid Distress Relief, evacuation, and logistic support including providing medical aid.

  • 20 rescue teams with Gemini boats and medical teams also kept ready for augmenting rescue & relief efforts in Odisha & West Bengal. Naval aircraft also standing by at Naval Air Stations - INS Dega, Visakhapatnam & INS Rajali, Arakkonam.

  • These ships are embarked with additional divers, doctors, inflatable rubber boats and relief material including food, tentage, clothes, medicines, blankets in sufficient quantities.

  • Eastern Naval Command is monitoring the developments in the Bay of Bengal closely and Naval Officers-in-Charge (West Bengal) and (Odisha) are in constant communication with respective State Administrations to augment rescue and relief operations as needed.

    • More update from Kolkata Airport

  • Cargo and evacuation flight operations at the Kolkata airport have been suspended till 5 am of Thursday due to the cyclonic storm 'Amphan', airport officials said. The cyclone is expected to make a landfall between West Bengal and Bangladesh coast this afternoon or evening.

  • "Due to the cyclone, flight operations at Kolkata airport has been suspended till 5 am of May 21," a senior airport official said.

  • The cyclone lay centred about 240 km south of Digha in West Bengal on Wednesday morning as an extremely severe cyclonic storm, the Met department said here.

  • The intensity near the centre of the storm was 170 to 180 kmph gusting to 200 kmph, the Met said.

    • Coast Guard on standby

    Indian Coast Guard ships and aircraft are kept at stand by for deployment to undertake area scan, search and rescue and relief efforts.

    Latest weather bulletin

    WATCH | Strong winds in Odisha's Bhadrak

    Howrah-New Delhi AC Special Express cancelled due to cyclone 'Amphan'

  • The departure of Howrah-New Delhi AC Special Express for Wednesday has been cancelled owing to the super cyclone 'Amphan', the Eastern Railway said in Kolkata.

  • It said that since the system is most likely to cause heavy rain and storm, the departure of 02301 Howrah-New Delhi AC Special Express on Wednesday and 02302 New Delhi-Howrah AC Special Express on May 21 would remain cancelled.

  • The Met department in an advisory asked for stoppage or diversion of train movements owing to damage likely to be caused by the super cyclonic storm.

    • Kolkata Airport closed for Wednesday

    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.

    Latest information on when the Cyclone Amphan will make landfall

  • Super Cyclone Amphan about 120 km east-southeast of Paradip, Odisha at 8:30 am today. 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.

  • Cyclone 'AMPHAN' lies 110kms from Paradip and is moving at a speed of 18-19kmph. An hour ago, wind speed of 102 kmph was observed at Paradip. Landfall expected near Sunderbans in West Bengal by late evening today. Next six-eight hours crucial: PK Jena, Special Relief Commissioner, Odisha.

    • More visuals from Digha as cyclone nears

    WATCH | High tide in Bengal's Digha

    IN PICS | Bhadrak takes hammering from Cycole AMPHAN

    Odisha evacuates 1.16 lakh as cyclone Amphan brings rain and gale

    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)

    WATCH | Strong winds, heavy rainfall in Bhubaneswar

    WATCH | Latest scenes from the Bhadrak-Chandbali highway

    The emergence of summer cyclones

    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 feels Cyclone effect too

    WATCH | Rainfall and strong winds hit Bhadrak

    Update from Paradip

    NDRF gears up for the Cyclone challenge

    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.

    More than 1000 shelter camps in Odisha as storm nears

    More pics from Chandipur

    WATCH | High tides in Chandipur

    WATCH | Strong winds hit Paradip

    Latest weather update from Odisha

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