Cyclone Amphan LIVE Updates: Death Toll in Bengal Rises to 3 as 160-170 Kmph Winds Lash Coastal Districts

The United Nations and the Bangladesh government are making preparations as the powerful cyclone Amphan makes landfall in the region, a UN spokesperson said. The Secretary-General's spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, said that the Humanitarian Coordination Task Team, co-led by the UN and the Government of Bangladesh, is working on preparedness and response activities. The Bangladesh Red Crescent Society has also activated its Early Actions protocols for cyclones.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee says, "It is difficult to tell the actual death figure at present but I am hearing 10-12 people have died so far."

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu expressed concern over the situation arising out of Cyclone Amphan in West Bengal and Odisha. The Vice President's Secretariat tweeted saying Naidu has expressed concern over the situation arising out of the cyclone. 

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at a control room set up to monitor cyclone Amphan at the state secretariat Nabanna.

READ | Rapid Intensification of Cyclone 'Amphan' a Grim Reminder of Dangers Posed by Warming Oceans

The reduction in carbon emissions across the globe also seems to have played a hand in additional warming of the sea.

Death Toll in Bengal Rises to 3 | The death toll in West Bengal rises to three as cyclone Amphan leaves a trail of destruction across the state.

NDRF personnel clear electricity wires and uprooted trees off the road between Digha in East Midnapore district and Odisha border, after cyclone Amphan made landfall earlier today.

West Bengal: National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel clear electricity wires and uprooted trees off the road between Digha in East Midnapore district and Odisha border, after #CycloneAmphan made landfall earlier today. pic.twitter.com/xUimNna02k

— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2020

A man covers himself with a plastic sheet and walks in the rain ahead of Cyclone Amphan landfall, at Bhadrak district, in the eastern state of Odisha. (Image: AP)

Amphan Weakens into Very Severe Cyclonic Storm | Cyclone Amphan has weakened into a very severe cyclonic storm, which in terms of wind speed means a difference of about 20kmph. By late night it will weaken into a severe cyclonic storm.

A man struggles to hold his umbrella and walk against high wind in Kolkata. (Image: AP)

The cyclone is likely to weaken and move through Nadia and Murshidabad districts as a cyclonic storm and then into Bangladesh as a deep depression on Thursday morning, the meteorological department said.

The cyclone's impact was felt in Kolkata as a medium to heavy rainfall was recorded, and several trees and electric poles were uprooted, causing power cut and road blockade in many areas.

Cyclone Amphan crossed West Bengal-Bangladesh coast between Digha (West Bengal) and Hatiya Islands (Bangladesh) across Sunderbans near lat 21.65N & long 88.3E between 1530 & 1730 hrs IST of 20th May with wind speed of 155-165 gusting to 185 kmph.

AMPHAN crossed West Bengal-Bangladesh coast between Digha (West Bengal) and Hatiya Islands (Bangladesh) across Sunderbans near lat 21.65N & long 88.3E between 1530 & 1730 hrs IST of 20th May with wind speed of 155-165 gusting to 185 kmph. pic.twitter.com/ga9mzvSgL6

— India Met. Dept. (@Indiametdept) May 20, 2020

The cyclone barreled through coastal districts of West Bengal, unleashing copious rain and windstorm, blowing away thatched houses, uprooting trees, electric poles and swamping low lying towns and villages, officials said.

The cyclone with wind speed of 160-170 kmph, gusting to 190 kmph coupled with heavy rain hit the Digha coast in East Medinipur district around 2.30 pm, officials said.

Two Dead in Bengal | Two women were killed in Howrah district and Minakhan area of North 24 Parganas district due to uprooting of trees.  

READ | Cyclone Amphan Wreaks Havoc in Bengal and Odisha, Spine-chilling Videos Go Viral

Within an hour of the storm making landfall, social media was full of videos and photos torrential rains pouring in parts of both states. High-velocity winds can be seen tearing through trees and rocking construction.

Fishermen tie their boats along the shore during rain before Cyclone Amphan makes its landfall, in the Baleswar district of the eastern state of Odisha. (Image: Reuters)

Amphan to Completely Enter Land by 7 pm: IMD | "We are hopeful that by 7 pm the entire cyclone will enter the land," says IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra.

The width of the wall cloud is around 120 kilometres and the diameter of the eye is about 40 kilometres. The rear side is about 120 kilometres and the entire process will be completed by 3-4 hours. South and North 24 Parganas will witness a lull as the eye of cyclone passes through, but heavy rains, strong winds will resume in the next 30 minutes.

Two Deaths Reported in Odisha, Cause Yet to be Ascertained | The government has received reports of two deaths from Bhadrak and Kendrapara districts of Odisha amid the cyclone. "We have received reports of a child's death at Tihidi in the Bhadrak district. The District Collector has sent a team, comprising tehsildar, medical and police officials. The exact cause will be ascertained after autopsy," IANS quoted Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Pradeep Jena as saying.

In a separate incident, a 67-year-old woman died in her house in the Satabhaya area of the Kendrapara district as ambulance didn't reach her in time. An inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of death, said the SRC.

Satellite image of the cyclonic storm crossing West Bengal coast.

Super Cyclone Amphan is crossing West Bengal Coast between Digha and Hatiya close to the Sunderbans. The forward sector of wall clouds has entered into the land. The landfall process will continue and take 2-3 hours to complete, the IMD says in its latest bulletin issued. Visuals from Digha.

Super Cyclone #Amphan is crossing West Bengal Coast between Digha&Hatiya close to Sunderban. The forward sector of wall clouds has entered into the land. Landfall process will continue and take 2-3 hours to complete: IMD in a bulletin issued at 4:30 pm; Visuals from Digha pic.twitter.com/DfSq4kVC17

— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2020

VISUALS | Police officers carry a disabled man to a safer place following his evacuation from a slum area before Cyclone Amphan makes its landfall, in Kolkata. (Image: Reuters)

VISUALS | A woman carries her son as she tries to protect him from heavy rain while they rush to a safer place, following their evacuation from a slum area before Cyclone Amphan makes its landfall, in Kolkata. (Image: Reuters)

"Amphan will reach Bangladesh as a cyclonic storm and Assam as a deep depression," says IMD DG.

Assam, Meghalya to See Heavy Rainfall | "Assam and Meghalaya will also see heavy to very heavy rains from tonight. Odisha will not see much rainfall from tomorrow," he says.

"Heavy downpour already reported in Bengal as front section of the storm's eye has made landfall. Extensive damage will be seen when the rear sector of the eye of the storm makes landfall," Mohapatra says.

"Bhadrak and Balasore (in Odisha) will continue to have damaging impact for 2-3 more hours. After this Odisha will not have any damaging impact," says Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) Chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra. 

"In view of the prevailing Covid-19 scenario, all teams are equipped with PPE," officials say as the NDRF, IMD and Health Ministry brief the media on the current situation of cyclone Amphan and coronavirus.