Super Cyclone Amphan likely to make landfall with high wind speed: IMD

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WEATHER | MAY 19, 2020:

Indian Metrological Department, IMD said that Super Cyclone AMPHAN is likely to make landfall between Digha, West Bengal and Hatiya Islands, Bangladesh, close to Sundarbans tommorrow afternoon with maximum sustained wind speed of 155 to 165 kilometres per hour gusting to 185 kilometres per hour.

AMPHAN over Westcentral Bay of Bengal moved north-northeastwards with a speed of 15 kilometres during past six hours. It lies centred over Westcentral Bay of Bengal about 480 kilometres nearly south of Paradip in Odisha.

Rainfall has commenced over coastal Odisha since early hours today. The rainfall intensity is likely to increase gradually and become maximum tonight and tomorrow afternoon.

Coastal districts of Gangetic West Bengal are likely to experience light to moderate rainfall at many places commencing from today.

The Super Cyclonic Storm Amphan is very likely to weaken to Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm during the next six hours and make landfall as Very Severe Cyclonic Storm after further weakening.

The Super Cyclone is currently located about 480 kilometres nearly the South of Paradip in Odisha. In view of Amphan Odisha Government is taking every possible step for effective management of the situation arising out of the possible cyclone.

The State Government has deputed four senior IAS and four IPS officers to highly ed districts Bhadrak, Balasore, Kendrapara, and Jagatsingpur to provide support and guidance to District Administrations.

The State Government has also initiated the process of evacuating people from kutcha houses to the nearest cyclone shelters. NDRF, ODRAF and Fire Services teams have been pressed into action .