Super Cyclone Amphan likely to hit Bengal, here’s all you need to know
FACTS | MAY 19, 2020:
Cyclone "Amphan", rightly pronounced as "Um-pun", means sky. The name was given by Thailand in 2004. According to the Press Information Bureau, the next few cyclones will be named Nisarga (suggested by Bangladesh), Gati (India), Nivar (Iran), Burevi (Maldives), Tauktae (Myanmar) and Yaas (Oman).
Amphan is the equivalent of a Category-5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, according to US space agency NASA. The space agency's Aqua satellite passed over the Indian Ocean on Monday and gathered water vapor data that showed the intensity of powerful tropical cyclone.
The storm is expected to bring strong winds, storm surge and flooding to coastal areas of West Bengal in India and Bangladesh. The Indian space agency has warned of a storm surge of about 4-5 meters above astronomical tide that is likely to flood low-lying areas of West Bengal during landfall.
Massive destruction is expected since the coastal areas that will be struck are densely populated. The IMD anticipates extensive damage to houses and potential threat from flying objects. Rail and road traffic will also be disrupted.
Doppler Weather Radar at Vishakhapatnam has been constantly tracking the storm.
Light to moderate rainfall has been predicted in Sikkim, Assam and Meghalaya, which may also be impacted by the storm.