Orange alert for West Bengal as cyclone 'Amphan' moves over Bangladesh

After claiming multiple lives and leaving a trail of destruction in coastal West Bengal on Wednesday, the Super Cyclonic Storm ‘Amphan' moved north northeastwards and weakened into a Deep Depression, laying centred over Bangladesh, about 270 km north-northeast of Kolkata.

It is very likely to continue to move in the north-northeastwards direction and weaken into a 'Depression', the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

As a result heavy rains are expected over North Bengal all day on Thursday. Clear skies can be seen from Friday, an official from Alipore Meteorological Department said. 

Light to moderate rainfall over the western districts of Assam and Meghalaya has also been forecasted.

The sea condition is likely to remain rough to very rough over North Bay of Bengal and fishermen have been asked not to venture into the sea.

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 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.