Cyclone Amphan Turns “Extremely Severe”; Bengal, Odisha On Alert

A cyclone alert has been sounded in West Bengal and Odisha as AMPHAN intensified into an “extremely severe” storm overnight. It is expected to make landfall in Bengal on Wednesday. The Indian Meteorological Department has alerted the Coastal regions of Odisha and Bay of Bengal.

“The very severe cyclonic storm ‘AMPHAN’ over central parts of South Bay of Bengal moved north-northeastwards with a speed of 13 kmph during past six hours, intensified into an Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm,” a statement by the India Meteorological Department or IMD read.

Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm ‘AMPHAN’ with Eye Pattern: 18th May 2020 (0730 to 0750 IST) pic.twitter.com/GAhQO3tGTz

— India Met. Dept. (@Indiametdept) May 18, 2020

There is the likelihood of heavy rainfall coupled with high-velocity winds in coastal districts of Odisha and parts of West Bengal.

#Amphan #CycloneAmphan #AmphanCyclone is so massive, its moisture plume covers all of the Bay of Bengal, and almost all of southern India. A good chunk of the moisture enters the Arabian sea, too!

Such a large storm can greatly affect the atmosphere around them to benefit them. pic.twitter.com/UHSLeb580S

— Alex Lubbers (@AlexLubbers2) May 16, 2020

“It is very likely to move north-northeastwards and move fast across northwest Bay of Bengal and cross West Bengal and Bangladesh coasts between Digha and Hatiya Islands during 09:00-12:00 pm of 20th May 2020, as a very severe cyclonic storm,” IMD’s latest bulletin read

Odisha and Bengal have been put on a “Yellow” alert by the weather office. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into north Bay of Bengal along and off West Bengal-Odisha coasts till Wednesday.

Also Read: Cyclone Amphan likely to intensify into ‘Severe’ Cyclonic Storm