The India Meteorological Department (IMD) declared a cyclone alert for Indian coastline areas across the Bay of Bengal, due to low-pressure area that formed over the southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining south Andaman sea. The cyclone, named Amphan, over the central parts of Bengal has now intensified into an extremely severe cyclonic storm, the IMD reported.
The weather officials have also warned that cyclone Amphan might turn into a “super cyclonic storm”. Experts are of the view that the north Odisha coast will face the maximum impact, when the cyclone makes its landfall. As per the news reports, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has sent around 10 teams to Odisha and 7 teams to West Bengal in view of the approaching storm.
Reportedly, Amphan is likely to intensify in the next few hours, a reason why fishermen have been barred from going near the sea. The IMD issued a yellow alert, stating the West Bengal and Bangladesh coasts will also be affected by this storm, which is brewing over the southeast Bay of Bengal.
Under its impact, many places in the coastal districts of Gangetic West Bengal will likely experience light to moderate rain, whereas some places may also experience heavy downpour.
The IMD also stated that a very severe storm will likely cross West Bengal – Bangladesh coasts between Digha (West Bengal) and Hatiya island, in the afternoon/evening of May 20. While Odisha will be experiencing heavy rainfall from today itself, the storm will make landfall on the West Bengal coast likely on May 20.
Because of cyclone Amphan, the Bhubaneswar-New Delhi-Bhubaneswar AC special train starting from Bhubaneswar from 19th to 22nd May and starting from New Delhi from 18th to 21st May will run on a diverted route, i.e., via the Bhubaneswar-Angul-Sambalpur City-Jharsuguda-Rourkela-Tata bypassing Bhadrak-Balasore-Hijli route.