The system is likely to move north-northeastwards after landfall and pass close to Kolkata in its eastern side causing extensive damage and flooding of low-lying areas of the city.
The landfall process of cyclone 'Amphan' commenced as 'Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm' at 2.30 pm on Wednesday between Digha in West Bengal and Hatiya island in Bangladesh, the India Meteorological Department said.
The landfall process will continue for about four hours, it said.
"The forward sector of the wall cloud region is entering into land in West Bengal," it added.
The system is likely to move north-northeastwards after landfall and pass close to Kolkata in its eastern side causing extensive damage and flooding of low-lying areas of the city, the Met department warned.
The Met department said the intensity of the cyclone near its centre as the landfall process started was recorded at 160-170 kmph, gusting to 190 kmph, which falls under the category of 'Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm'.
The West Bengal government on Tuesday started evacuated lakhs of people from coastal districts and low-lying areas to safer places in view of the warning of strong winds and heavy rains due to Cyclone 'Amphan'
Odisha government also evacuated 11 lakh people from coastal areas to temporary shelter homes.
Here are the live updates on Cyclone Amphan:
22:38 IST Wednesday, 20 May 2020
10-12 persons dead in cyclone Amphan, says Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee
North 24 pgs, South 24 pgs completely ravaged. Even Kolkata is completely damaged, our secretariat has suffered major damages: Mamata Banerjee
Communications snapped in most places. Everything is finished. From embankment to houses to light posts, everything is destroyed: Banerjee
This loss is of hundreds of crores. I’m pained to see this natural calamity: CM Banerjee
Will request the Central govt to not see it as a political issue, but try and help us. I would request all to not touch the live wires: Mamata
Do not leave the relief camps as of now. It is not safe. The extent of damage is so much that it will take us atleast 3-4 days to assess it: Mamata Banerjee
This is a big disaster. We did not expect this kind of a disaster. No drinking water, electricity snapped, bridges cut off, communications snapped: Mamata
18:32 IST Wednesday, 20 May 2020
2 Deaths in West Bengal due to Cyclone AMPHAN, one in Howrah and one in North24Pgs District
18:28 IST Wednesday, 20 May 2020
First death due to Cyclone Amphan reported in Bengal. A 13-year-old, Lakshmi Kumar from Howrah died after tin roof collapsed on her.
16:14 IST Wednesday, 20 May 2020
Landfall along the Bengal coast commenced around 2:30pm. The process of completion of the landfall will take more than 4 hours. There are reports of trees being uprooted, kachha houses being damaged and some roads being damaged are coming in. CM along with other senior officials monitoring situation at the Control Room.
15:41 IST Wednesday, 20 May 2020
Landfall process commenced since 2:30 PM. It will continue for about 4 hours. The forward sector of the wall cloud region is entering into land in West Bengal: IMD
13:30 IST Wednesday, 20 May 2020
After landfall, Cyclone Amphan will curve towards north-northeast wards and pass very close to Kolkata. Cyclone is presently 125km away from Digha. Windspeed of 100-120kmph will be experienced in Kolkata. It is retaining the same intensity as of now. At the time of landfall, the wind speed will be around 185kmph gusting 200kmph. Met office predicts a major threat because of flying objects, people should not step out: IMD Kolkata.
12:50 IST Wednesday, 20 May 2020
Amphan which was categorised as 'Super Cyclone' turned into an 'Extremely Severe Cyclone' last night. With now a few hours to go for landfall, the Cyclone will hit as ‘extremely severe cyclone’: IMD Kolkata
12:30 IST Wednesday, 20 May 2020
Evacuation process in Odisha conducted on Tuesday.
12:16 IST Wednesday, 20 May 2020
Rains and gusty winds lash Orissa and Bengal, at Paradip coast in Orissa the wind speed is up to 100 kmph. It is also raining in South 24 Parganas which is likely to increase in the afternoon. Our teams are working continuously. Over 1.25 lakhs in Orissa and more than 3.5 lakhs in Bengal People have been moved to a safer place: NDRF DG SN Pradhan
12:15 IST Wednesday, 20 May 2020
Wind speed has picked up near coastal Odisha and is blowing at around 100 kmph at Paradip. The wind is not that strong in West Bengal. Odisha has evacuated nearly 1.5 lakh people from Balasore, Bhadrak while West Bengal has evacuated over 3.3 lakh people: NDRF Chief SN Pradhan on Cyclone Amphan
12:10 IST Wednesday, 20 May 2020
Cyclone Amphan: Indian Coast Guard ships and aircraft are kept at standby for deployment to undertake area scan, search and rescue and relief efforts.
12:00 IST Wednesday, 20 May 2020
Cyclone Amphan about 120 km east of Paradip (Odisha) at 10:30 am. To cross West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts between Digha (West Bengal) and Hatiya Islands (Bangladesh) close to Sunderbans. Landfall process to commence from the afternoon: IMD.
11:30 IST Wednesday, 20 May 2020
Cyclone Amphan about 120 km east of Paradip (Odisha) at 10:30 am. To cross West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts between Digha (West Bengal) and Hatiya Islands (Bangladesh) close to Sunderbans. Landfall process to commence from the afternoon: India Meteorological Department (IMD).
11:00 IST Wednesday, 20 May 2020
In the wake of approaching cyclonic storm Amphan, Kolkata Airport will remain closed till 5 am tomorrow. All flight operations to remain suspended, only cargo flights operating now.
09:30 IST Wednesday, 20 May 2020
Due to severe cyclone ’Amphan’ which is expected to hit West Bengal in few hours on May 20, the scheduled run of Howrah-New Delhi AC Special Express from Howrah on Wednesday and New Delhi - Howrah AC Special Express from New Delhi on May 21 have been cancelled.
09:30 IST Wednesday, 20 May 2020
120km off Paradip coast in Odisha
200km off Digha coast in West Bengal
360km off Khepupara coast in Bangladesh
Current intensity: 170-180 kmph winds gusting 200kmph
07:30 IST Wednesday, 20 May 2020
125km off Paradip coast in Odisha
240km off Digha coast in West Bengal
395km off Khepupara coast in Bangladesh
Intensity: 170-180 kmph winds gusting 200kmph
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 "Destruction caused by Cyclone Amphan in Kolkata")
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