Cyclone Amphan Intensifies Into Very Severe Cyclonic Storm

The Severe Cyclonic Storm ‘Amphan’ (pronounced as UM-PUN) over central parts of South Bay of Bengal and neighbourhood moved slowly northwards with a speed of 5 kmph during last six hours, further intensified into a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm on Sunday.

It now lay centred over the central parts of South Bay of Bengal, about 960 km south of Paradip (Odisha), 1110 km south-southwest of Digha (West Bengal) and 1230 km south-southwest of Khepupara (Bangladesh).

It is very likely to intensify further into an Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm during next 24 hours and move nearly northwards slowly during next 12 hours and then re-curve north-northeastwards and move fast across the northwest Bay of Bengal and cross West Bengal-Bangladeshcoasts between Digha (West Bengal) and Hatiya Islands (Bangladesh) either during afternoon or evening on May 20 as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm.

Rainfall
Coastal Odisha is likely to experience light to moderate rainfall at many places with heavy falls at isolated places from the evening on May 18 evening. Rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places on May 19 and isolated heavy rainfall over north coastal Odisha on May 20.

Wind warning
Squally wind speed reaching 45 to 55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph is likely to commence along and off south Odisha coast from the evening on May 18 and extend to along and off north Odisha coast from the morning on May 19 and along and off West Bengal coast from the afternoon. The wind speed will gradually increase becoming gale wind speed reaching 75 to 85 kmph gusting to 95 kmph from May 20 morning along and off north Odisha and West Bengal coasts. It will gradually increase thereafter becoming 110 to 120 kmph gusting to 135 kmph along and off north Odisha coast.

Fishermen warning
The fishermen are advised not to venture into the south Bay of Bengal during next 24 hours, to the central Bay of Bengal on May 17 and 18, into the north Bay of Bengal along and off north Odisha, West Bengal and adjoining Bangladesh coasts from May 18 to 20.

Also Read: ‘Severe Cyclonic Storm’ Amphan To Cross This Stretch On May 20; Know The Rain Forecast For Odisha

Also Read: Amphan Advisory: Ensure Zero Casualties, Odisha CM Tells Officials

Also Read: Cyclone Amphan: Decision to Evacuate People From Odisha Coastline By Tonight, Says SRC