NEW DELHI, May 20 (NNN-PTI) – Authorities in the Indian states of Odisha and West Bengal evacuated, and subsequently moved thousands of people to relief camps, ahead of super cyclone Amphan.
The super cyclone that is likely to weaken into extremely severe storm is expected to make landfall in West Bengal on Wednesday afternoon.
“This is the most intense cyclone – the second super cyclone – which has been formed in the Bay of Bengal after 1999. Its wind speed in the sea right now is 200-240 kph. It is moving towards north-northwestward direction,” India Meteorological Department (IMD) Director General, Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said.
Indian federal home minister, Amit Shah, spoke to Chief Ministers of West Bengal and Odisha – Mamata Banerjee and Naveen Patnaik, and assured them of all possible help from the government.
According to Banerjee, 300,000 people have been evacuated from coastal areas in West Bengal. Likewise NDRF teams were evacuating people from Odisha’s Bhadrak and Kendrapada districts.
Meanwhile Director General of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), S N Pradhan said, 41 teams have been deployed for West Bengal and Odisha in anticipation of the cyclone.
Pradhan said, NDRF was fully prepared to tackle the super cyclone and taking necessary steps for evacuation, communication and creating awareness.
The IMD has issued an “orange” warning for West Bengal and Odisha.
Authorities advised fishermen not to venture into north Bay of Bengal, along and off West Bengal-Odisha coasts until Thursday (tomorrow).
The severe cyclonic storm comes at a time when India is fighting against COVID-19, which has affected 101,139 people in the country and killed 3,163.– NNN-PTI
