WEB DESK
The Super Cyclonic Storm Amphan has made landfall over West Bengal coast near Sunderbans. The landfall process over North West Bay of Bengal commenced this afternoon and it will continue for few more hours. Lakh of people have been evacuated to safety from the coastal areas of West Bengal and Odisha.
Director General of India Meteorological Department (IMD) Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said, South and North 24 Parganas will witness lull as eye of cyclone will pass through. Dr Mohapatra said, maximum wind speed of 155 to 165 kilometres per hour is expected in South and North 24 Parganas and in East Medinipur districts. He said, wind speed in Kolkata and adjoining districts likely to be 110 to 120 kilometres per hour and damage is expected there.
The IMD DG said, the cyclone will continue to affect Bhadrak and Balasore in Odisha for about three more hours after which Odisha will not have any damaging impact. Dr Mohapatra said, the forecast of Cyclone Amphan by IMD was accurate. He informed that India also issuing cyclone warning to Bangladesh.
Director General of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) S N Pradhan said, a close watch is being kept over Cyclone Amphan and the situation is transforming fast. Mr Pradhan said, NDRF teams have been deployed on the ground. Twenty teams in Odisha deployed on ground and 19 teams in West Bengal including two on stand-by.
Mr Pradhan said, NDRF is not dependent on any communication system as it is having wireless and satellite communication. He said, NDRF commandants are in coordination with the state authorities. The NDRF DG said, more than five lakh people have been evacuated in West Bengal and over one lakh 58 thousand people in Odisha. He said, All NDRF teams are in action in cyclone area and road clearance and restoration work has begun.
Under the influence of Cyclone Amphan, seven coastal districts of West Bengal including Kolkata are experiencing heavy rains accompanied with high speed wind. According to preliminary information, two persons died of rain-related incidents so far. Damage of standing crops and properties have also been reported from several areas.
The fury of devaststion is unthinkable. In Kolkata many trees and electric pillers were uprooted.
Breach of river embankments have also been reported from various areas of Sundarbans, Sagar Island, Kakdwip, Namkhana in South 24 Paraganas, Hingalgunj and Bashirhat in North 24 Paraganas districts.
Large number of mud houses have also been damaged in different districts. Water level of different rivers are at spate.
Electricity connections have been snapped in many areas. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is monitoring the situation from State Headquarters.
Super Cyclone Amphan has left a mark of destruction in the four coastal districts of Odisha, as it triggered heavy rainfall with the strong wind while moving towards the West Bengal coast. The State Government has asked to submit a report on damage to the district collectors of the concerned districts.
Approaching Cyclone Amphan left a mark of destruction in Odisha as it triggered heavy rainfall with the strong wind while moving towards the West Bengal coast.
In view of Amphan 12 coastal districts of Odisha have been put on . Heavy to heavy rain and winds are being experienced in Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, and Balasore districts.
Power infrastructure also suffered damage following strong wind. The state government sought reports from district collectors on damage due to Amphan. Meanwhile, cutting of uprooting trees in Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Balasore and Bhadrak districts have already begun to clear the roads.
A total of 36 teams of the NDRF and ODRAF are on the ground to provide humanitarian assistance and to undertake relief and rescue operations.
In wake of Cyclone Amphan, Bangladesh’s Weather Department has warned that low-lying areas of coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagherhat, Bhola, Barisal, Noakhali, Chattogram among others and their off shore islands are likely to be inundated by storm surge of 10-15 feet height above normal astronomical tide.
These areas are also likely to experience wind speed up to 140-160 kilometres per hour with heavy to very heavy rainfall during the passage of the storm.
The Met department has instructed all the boats and trawlers over the North bay and deep sea to take shelter immediately and not venture into the sea till further notice.
Mongla and Payara ports are hoisting the highest level of danger signal 10 which signifies Great Danger.
The government said that it has evacuated more than two million people to safety from the vulnerable areas.