Cyclone 'Amphan' likely to intensify over Bay of Bengal in next 24 hours; might turn into 'Severe Cyclonic Storm'

As the states in India's eastern coast brace for Cyclone Amphan, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted wind speeds reaching up to 55-65 kmph and gusts of up to 75 kmph on Saturday. The cyclone system is predicted to form by this evening over the southwest Bay of Bengal.

With the cyclonic system evolving from 'Depression' to 'Deep depression' and then into the 'Cyclonic storm' category the wind speeds too will rise to 75-85 kmph gusting at 95 kmph.

The cyclonic system is centered around 1100 km south of Paradip off Odisha coast, 1250 km south of Digha, and 1330 km south-southwest of Khepupara off Bangladesh coast.

It is likely to intensify into a 'Cyclonic Storm' by 12.00 noon and 'Severe Cyclonic Storm' in the next 24 hours.

The weather office had dispatched an alert on the brewing storm, Cyclone Amphan, to the National Disaster Response Force and the chief secretaries of eight states and Union Territories on May 14.

According to the latest updates, the West Bengal state government has requisitioned two NDRF teams to be deployed at two locations in the state in the wake of the Cyclone Amphan. One team will be deployed at Sagar Island while the other will be at Kakdwip. Both teams will be deployed by this evening. The state government will seek further teams after the met office shares information on the landfall in the subsequent 24 hours.

The sea condition is likely to be very rough and alerts have been issued to fishermen to not venture into the waters off Andhra coast and Odisha-West Bengal coasts from May 18 onwards. Those who are out at sea are advised to return to casts by May 17.

While Andaman and Nicobar Islands are likely to receive light to moderate rainfall on May 15 and 16, Odisha and West Bengal are likely to receive light to moderate rainfall on May 18 with heavy rains and very heavy rainfall on May 19 and May 20.

Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the west-central BoB off the north Andhra Pradesh coast on the 18th and into the north BoB along and off the Odisha-West Bengal coasts from 18th May 2020 onwards. Those who are out at sea over these regions have been advised to return to coasts by 17th May.