‘Amphan’ likely to intensify into ‘Super Cyclone’; Bengal, Odisha on alert

at 11:51 am

New Delhi (NVI): Extremely severe cyclonic storm ‘AMPHAN’, currently raging in the Bay of Bengal, is likely to intensify further as ‘Super Cyclone’, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said today.

IMD has issued a weather warning for West Bengal and north Odisha coasts. The cyclonic storm is expected to make landfall in Bengal on Wednesday.

Issuing a warning, the weather office tweeted: “Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm ‘AMPHAN’: 18th May 2020 (1000 to 1027 IST). Likely to intensify further as Super Cyclone.”

(Source: IMD)

In another tweet this morning, IMD said: “Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm ‘AMPHAN’ (pronounced as UM-PUN) over west-central & adjoining central parts of South BoB: Cyclone Warning for West Bengal and north Odisha coasts. To intensify further as SuCS.”

IMD had issued a yellow alert yesterday. The cyclone is likely to cross West Bengal and Bangladesh by May 20 evening, IMD said. Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal are likely to be affected while Odisha also braces for a severe storm. IMD has also predicted heavy rainfall in these areas and 12 coastal districts are on alert.

In view of the approaching cyclone, 17 teams of National Disaster Response Force have been deployed in Odisha and West Bengal, NDRF said yesterday.