Cyclone Amphan [LIVE]: Super cyclone to make landfall today; Kolkata, Hooghly likely to receive heavy rainfall

Cyclone Amphan [LIVE]: Super cyclone to make landfall today; Kolkata, Hooghly likely to receive heavy rainfall

Amphan is the most intense cyclone - the second super cyclone - which has been formed in the Bay of Bengal after 1999," India Meteorological Department chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said.

Kolkata/Bhubaneswar: The extremely severe cyclonic storm ‘AMPHAN’ is expected to make landfall on May 20, Wednesday and will cross West Bengal and Bangladesh coasts between Digha (West Bengal) and Hatiya Islands (Bangladesh) close to Sundarbans during the afternoon to the evening of May 20 with maximum sustained wind speed of 155-165 kmph gusting to 185 mph. Amphan cyclone will be massive, compared to earlier cyclones Aila or Bulbul.

11:45 am: 'Storm surge of 4 to 5 metres likely to inundate low lying areas of South & North 24 Parganas'

"Storm surge of 4 to 5 metres above astronomical tide is likely to inundate low lying areas of South and North 24 Parganas and about 3 to 4 metres over low lying areas of East Midnapore district of West Bengal during the time of landfall," Regional Met director G K Das said.

11:35 am: Wind blowing at 100 kmph in Odisha's Paradip

NDRF Chief SN Pradhan said the wind speed has picked up near coastal Odisha and is blowing at around 100 kmph at Paradip. However the winds speed is not that strong in West Bengal. he added.

The NDRF chief confirmed that while Odisha has evacuated nearly 1.5 lakh people from Balasore and Bhadrak, West Bengal has evacuated over 3.3 lakh people.

11:25 am: Cyclone Amphan about 177 km south of Digha in West Bengal

Giving details regarding the Cyclone Amphan, deputy director of IMD Kolkata said that cyclone 'Amphan' lay centred about 177 km southeast of Digha in West Bengal. After landfall, the super cyclonic storm is likely to move close to Kolkata. At the time of crossing the coast, wind speed will be around 155-165 kmph. It is likely to retain intensity till May 21 morning.

11:20 am: All operations at Kolkata airport suspended

All operations at Kolkata airport have been suspended till 5 am on Thursday. "All operations suspended at Kolkata Airport till 5 am tomorrow in view of cyclone Amphan including special flights, which were operational in view of COVID-19 pandemic," the Airport Director said.

11:15 am: Eastern Naval Command all set to assist in relief operations, says Indian Navy

The Indian Navy said its Eastern Naval Command is monitoring the developments in the Bay of Bengal closely and Naval Officers-in-Charge (West Bengal) & (Odisha) are constantly communicating with the respective state administrations to augment rescue and relief operations as needed.

The Navy said 20 rescue teams with Gemini boats and medical teams also kept ready for augmenting rescue and relief efforts in Odisha and West Bengal. Naval aircraft are also on standby at Naval Air Stations - INS Dega, Visakhapatnam and INS Rajali, Arakkonam.

Eastern Naval Command is in high degree of readiness to render necessary humanitarian assistance. Naval ships at Vizag on standby to proceed to affected areas to undertake humanitarian aid distress relief, evacuation, and logistic support, including providing medical aid, the Indian Navy said.

11:05 am: Odisha's Kendrapara experiences strong winds, rain

As cyclone 'AMPHAN' is expected to make landfall today, Odisha's Kendrapara area experiences strong winds and heavy rainfall. The IMD has predicted that the strong winds and heavy rainfall can cause vast damage in Kendrapara area.

10:55 am: Howrah-New Delhi AC Special Express cancelled

The Railways has cancelled 02301 Howrah-New Delhi AC Special Express for today. The Eastern Railway (ER) has also cancelled 02302 New Delhi-Howrah AC Special Express, which was scheduled to run on May 21.

10:50 am: IMD has advised markets to remain closed in Kolkata

The IMD fas asked people not to venture out and advised against the opening of establishments and markets. The weatherman has predicted damage to rail and road link at several places. Due to heavy rainfall and strong winds standing crops, plantations and orchards are likely to suffer extensive damage.

10:45 am: Coast Guard on standby

In view of the approaching Cyclone Amphan, Indian Coast Guard ships and aircraft have been kept on standby for deployment to undertake area scan, search, and rescue and relief efforts.

10:30 am: Cyclone to make landfall with wind speed of 155-165 kmph

IMD has said that Super Cyclone Amphan will move north-northeastwards and cross West Bengal-Bangladesh coast between Digha and Hatiya Islands close to Sunderbans during the afternoon to evening today with a wind speed of 155-165 kmph, gusting to 185 kmph.

10:00 am: Mamata Banerjee urged people to remain indoors

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said that the state was well prepared to deal with the situation arising out of the Amphan cyclone. Calling the super cyclonic storm as 'dangerous', she said, "This cyclone is of a different character. So it is better to be cautious and stay indoors till Thursday morning. The impact of Cyclone Amphan will also be felt in the city, East Midnapore, some parts of West Midnapore, North and South 24 Parganas, Howrah and Hooghly districts."

As cyclone Amphan is expected to cause severe damage in South 24 Parganas cautioned the residents of Sagar Island, Fresarganj, Gosaba, Goramari, Canning, Basanti, Namkhana and Kakdwip.

9:50 am: Trees uprooted, power infrastructure suffer damage in Odisha

The Odisha government has evacuated over 1.37 lakh people and the figure is likely to go up. Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Pradeep Kumar Jena confirmed that the Odisha administration has evacuated 1.37 lakh people. Meanwhile, trees were uprooted and power infrastructure suffered damages as strong winds hit several coastal parts in the state.

9:45 am: NDRF's operations in North 24 Parganas

NDRF personnel educate the locals in Hasnabad, North 24 Parganas in West Bengal about the threats of Cyclone Amphan and help them in the evacuation process.

9:35 am: IMD Odisha's latest update on Amphan Cyclone

According to the latest update (0830 IST) from IMD Odisha, Super Cyclone Amphan is about 120 km East-southeast of Paradip. It will cross West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts between Digha in West Bengal and Hatiya Islands in Bangladesh. Landfall process to commence from afternoon.

9:25 am: West Bengal sets up State control room

West Bengal has evacuated 3 lakh people from vulnerable areas. The state administration has set up a State control room at the secretariat. Here are the phone numbers: 24143526 / 24141995 /1070.

The personnel from NDRF, SDRF, State Disaster Management, BSF, COAST GUARD, STATE Power Team, Kolkata Corporation, Municipal Corporations are assisting people in vulnerable areas.

9:05 am: Super Cyclonic Storm Amphan to reach Paradip first

The Super Cyclonic Storm 'AMPHAN' (pronounced as UM-PUN) over northwest and adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal moved north-northeastwards with a speed of 14 kmph during past 06 hours and lay centered at 0530 hours IST of May 20 as an Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm over northwest and adjoining Westcentral Bay of Bengal about 155 km south-southeast of Paradip (Odisha), 280 km south of Digha (West Bengal) and 425 km southwest of Khepupara (Bangladesh).

8:50 am: Digha in East Medinipur witnesses high tide

Digha in East Medinipur district of West Bengal witnessed high tide and strong winds. Disaster management and civil defence personnel urged citizens to stay indoors.

8:45 am: Odisha's Bhardark experiences strong winds; trees uprooted

Fire Services team cleared road blockage near R&B office in Bhadrak, Odisha to facilitate the movement of vehicles, essential commodities, and emergency service personnel.

8:35 am: IMD's latest bulletin says widespread rainfall in Odisha, West Bengal and Sikkim

The IMD in its latest bulletin has predicted fairly widespread to widespread rain/thundershower with isolated heavy to very heavy falls very likely over north Odisha, West Bengal and Sikkim and northeastern states during the next 2-3 days.

8:25 am: Cyclone Amphan to cause large scale damage in Odisha's 5 districts

Amphan cyclone can wreak large-scale damage in Odisha's Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore, Jajpur and Mayurbhanj, according to IMD.

Damage Expected:

Total destruction of thatched houses/ extensive damage to kutcha houses. Potential threat from flying objects.

Bending/ uprooting of power and communication poles.

Major damage to Kutcha and Pucca roads. Minor disruption of railways, overhead power lines and signalling systems.

Widespread damage to standing crops, plantations, orchards, falling of green coconuts and tearing of palm fronds. Blowing down of bushy trees like mango.

Small boats, country crafts may get detached from moorings.

8:20 am: IMD warns of extensive damage in Howrah, Hoogli and Kolkata

The IMD has warned of extensive damage in West Bengal's east Medinipur, south and north 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hoogli and Kolkata districts.

Damage Expected:

Extensive damage to all types of kutcha houses, some damage to old badly managed Pucca structures. Potential threat from flying objects.

Extensive uprooting of communication and power poles.

Disruption of rail/road link at several places.

Extensive damage to standing crops, plantations, orchards.

Blowing down of Palm and coconut trees.

Uprooting of large bushy trees.

Large boats and ships may get torn from their moorings.

8:15 am: Don't venture into Bay of Bengal, IMD warns fishermen

The IMD has warned fishermen not to venture into North Bay of Bengal along and off North Odisha, West Bengal and adjoining Bangladesh coasts till May 20, 2020.

8:10 am: Amphan is the most intense cyclone, said IMD director

India Meteorological Department (IMD) chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra has said, "Amphan is the most intense cyclone - the second super cyclone - which has been formed in the Bay of Bengal after 1999."

8:05 am: Indian Oil's refinery in East Midnapore on high alert

Haldia Petrochemicals' plant and Indian Oil's refinery in East Midnapore district have been put on high alert. The Amphan Cyclone is expected to make a landfall between Digha in East Midnapore district and Hatiya islands in Bangladesh.

7:55 am: IMD's update on Super Cyclonic Storm ‘AMPHAN'

According to the latest IMD report, Super cyclone Amphan centred at 0630 hours IST today as an extremely severe cyclonic storm over northwest Bay of Bengal. According to the IMD report Amphan cyclone was 125 km nearly south-southeast of Paradip. 240 km south of Digha and 395 km southwest of Khepupara in Bangladesh.

7:50 am: Mongla, Payra port in Bangladesh raise highest warning signal

Mongla and Payra port in Bangladesh raise highest warning signal no. 10. Cyclone Amphan is now 565 km from Chattogram, 545 km from Cox’s Bazar, 390 km from Mongla and 410 km from Payra port.

According to Bangladesh Meteorological Department, moderate to moderately heavy rain/thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty/squally wind is likely to occur at most places over Dhaka, Mymensingh, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions with heavy to very heavy falls at places over the country.

7:40 am: Wind warning in O