Cyclone Amphan live updates: Super cyclonic storm to move across northeast Bay of Bengal, Odisha initiates evacuation

Yellow alert in 13 Kerala districts

The India Meteorological Department has predicted heavy rains in Kerala on account of the extremely severe cyclonic storm 'Amphan' over west central and adjoining central parts of south Bay of Bengal, following which the Kerala's State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) has placed 13 of the 14 districts under yellow alert. (IANS)

Super cyclone to move across northeast Bay of Bengal

Cyclone 'Amphan' has intensified into a super cyclonic storm and is likely to move across the northeast Bay of Bengal, and cross the West Bengal and Bangladesh coasts between Digha and the Hatia island on May 20: IMD

Odisha initiates evacuation

The Odisha government has initiated the process of evacuating people from the vulnerable areas. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea till May 21, special relief commissioner (SRC) P K Jena said. (PTI)

37 teams deployed in Odisha, West Bengal in view of cyclone Amphan

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Director General SN Pradhan on Monday said that 37 NDRF teams have been deployed in seven districts of Odisha and six districts of West Bengal in view of cyclone Amphan.

Heavy rain in parts of Kerala

Many parts of Kerala have experienced heavy rains since overnight due to the impact of super cyclone Amphan. Widespread damage was reported from Vaikom taluk in Kottayam district after strong winds accompanied by heavy rains lashed the coastal town since Sunday night. (PTI)

37 NDRF teams to combat dual challenge of cyclone 'Amphan', Covid-19: DG

The NDRF has enhanced its strength to a total of 37 teams, with the addition of 20 more, to combat the "dual challenge" of cyclone 'Amphan' amid the coronavirus pandemic, the chief of the federal contingency force said on Monday. S N Pradhan, the NDRF Director DG, said the force is fully geared with all the equipment and paraphernalia to face the "developing situation which the IMD has said will turn into a very severe cyclonic storm by this evening and continue to be so for sometime".

'Amphan' to intensify into super cyclone by Monday evening, PM to chair meeting to review situation

Cyclonic storm 'Amphan' is likely to intensify into a super cyclone by Monday evening and unleash heavy rains coupled with high-velocity winds in coastal Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a high-level meeting to review the situation arising out of the cyclone.

Bengal on alert as 'Amphan' approaches

With 'Amphan' turning into a super-cyclone, the Mamata Banerjee-led government geared up to make necessary arrangements for the cyclonic spell that is expected to make a landfall in the state on Wednesday. The government sources said that special arrangements have been made by deploying specialised disaster management teams at Sagar Island and Kakdweep in South 24-Parganas district.

The cyclone is all set to unleash heavy rains coupled with high-velocity winds in coastal Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

We expect widespread rain in coastal Odisha tomorrow. On May 20, there could be heavy to very heavy rainfall in northern districts of the state, with wind speed reaching up to 110kmph in certain parts of Bhadrak, Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur, says Odisha spl relief commissioner.

Cyclone Amphan may turn into super cyclone between today evening and tomorrow morning. It'll make landfall between Digha and Hathiya island on May 20: Odisha special relief commissioner PK Jena

In Odisha (7 districts) & West Bengal (6 districts), a total of 37 NDRF teams have been deployed, of which 20 teams will be actively deployed by the end of this day and 17 teams are on standby: SN Pradhan, NDRF DG

The extremely severe cyclonic storm intensified into a super cyclone and lay centred at 770 km south from Paradeep. It will cross the land with weakened intensity on May 20 afternoon. The exact place of landfall is yet to be ascertained: IMD

To review arising cyclone situation, PM Narendra Modi to chair high-level meeting with MHA, NDMA at 4pm: Union home minister Amit Shah

North Odisha coast will face maximum impact of Amphan when it makes landfall. Wind speed expected to be 110-120 mph, gusting up to 130kmph. Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj districts can be affected on 20 May: ANI quotes Umashankar Das, scientist, IMD Bhubaneswar

The cyclonic storm will move towards north-northeast direction and cross Digha (West Bengal)-Hathiya island (Bangladesh) on the afternoon/evening of May 20 with a wind speed of 155-165 kmph, says IMD director general, Delhi.

Cyclone Amphan in the Bay of Bengal, intensified into an extremely severe cyclonic storm at 2.30am today. It is expected to further intensify into a super cyclonic storm in the next 12 hours: Mrutyunjaya Mohapatra, IMD director general, Delhi