Home ›› 20 May 2020 ›› World Biz
Extremely severe cyclone Amphan has made landfall in the coastal districts of West Bengal, India, leaving the mark of destruction in its way and it will continue for about four hours, according to the latest update of the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Cyclone Amphan, one of the worst storms over the Bay of Bengal in years, hit with a wind speed of 160 to 170 km/h along with gusts of 190 km/h, and made landfall at the Digha coast in East Medinipur district on the Bay of Bengal at around 2.30pm local time.
The cyclone ripped through coastal districts of West Bengal, unleashing heavy rains and windstorm, blowing away thatched houses, uprooting trees, electric poles and swamping towns and villages, IMD officials said.
Amphan had weakened from a super cyclone to an "extremely severe cyclonic storm" on Tuesday, causing strong winds and heavy rain in parts of Odisha and Bengal as it advanced towards the Indian coast.
Indian Met Department said landfall process would continue for four hours, bringing in its wake heavy rain and triggering three to five meter tidal waves.
The cyclone's impact was felt in Kolkata as medium to heavy rainfall -- several trees and electric poles were uprooted, causing a power cut in vast swathes of Kolkata.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who was sheltered at state secretariat Nabanna since last night, reviewed the situation and gave necessary instructions to her officials.
So far, over five lakh people have been taken to shelters in West Bengal and over one lakh in Odisha.
The cyclone will reach Kolkata by Thursday evening.
East Midnapore and North 24 Parganas in West Bengal are seeing heavy rain.
The wind speed could be from 110-120 km per when it reaches Howrah, Kolkata and Hoogli.
/sh/zn/teb
