Cyclone Amphan LIVE Updates: Storm Barely 170 km from Bengal, IMD Says Will Retain Intensity as Cyclone Till Tomorrow

The cyclone is expected to make a landfall between West Bengal and Bangladesh coast this afternoon or evening.

Cyclone Amphan Update | Super Cyclone Amphan about 125 km south-southeast of Digha (West Bengal) at 11:30 am. To cross West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts between Digha, West Bengal and Hatiya Islands, Bangladesh close to Sunderbans. Landfall process to commence from afternoon, states India Meteorological Department to ANI.

Odisha Issues Fresh Warning | The Odisha government has issued a fresh warning for heavy rainfall in areas of the state due to the approaching Cyclone Amphan.

#warning pic.twitter.com/QXmKXL7WHp

— SRC, Govt of Odisha (@SRC_Odisha) May 20, 2020

Heavy Wind and Rain at Namkhana | Heavy wind and rain can be seen at Namkhana,South 24 Parganas in West Bengal amid the approaching Cyclone Amphan.

Visuals from Digha, West Bengal:

41 Teams Deployed in Odisha, WB: DG NDRF | "We're looking at time and possible speed of Amphan's landing time. As per IMD, storm surge could be 4-6 meters of seawater which will enter land area. NDRF teams are coordinating with local administration for storm surge response. Forty-one teams are deployed in Odisha and West Bengal, said DG NDRF.

DG NDRF on Cyclone Amphan Updates | Wind speed has picked up near coastal Odisha& is blowing at around 100 kmph at Paradip. Wind is not that strong in West Bengal. Odisha has evacuated nearly 1.5 lakh people from Balasore, Bhadrak, West Bengal has evacuated over 3.3 lakh people, said NDRF Chief SN Pradhan on Amphan cyclone, ANI reports.

WATCH: Cyclone in Time of Pandemic: DG NDRF on Amphan

Howrah-New Delhi AC Special Express Cancelled due to Cyclone Amphan | The departure of Howrah-New Delhi AC Special Express for Wednesday has been cancelled owing to the super cyclone 'Amphan', the Eastern Railway said here.

Cyclone Amphan 177 km South, SE of Digha | "Cyclone Amphan lies 177km south southeast of Digha. After  landfall, it is likely to move north northeast close to Kolkata. At the time of crossing coast, wind speed to be around 155-165kmph. It is likely to retain intensity as cyclone till May 21 morning," Dy Director, IMD Kolkata told ANI.

Collector Visits Areas | The collector visited Pentha, bagapatia and other coastal regions of Rajnagar to oversee evacuation of people, preparedness of cyclone shelters, due to Amphan. (Image: Twitter)

Indian Navy Updates | Twenty rescue teams with Gemini boats and medical teams also kept ready for augmenting rescue and relief efforts in Odisha and West Bengal. Naval aircraft also standing by at Naval Air Stations - INS Dega, Visakhapatnam and INS Rajali, Arakkonam: states Indian Navy, ANI reports.

WATCH: Ground Report From Sunderbans Ahead Of Super Cyclone Amphan's Landfall

Heavy Rain Continues in Chandipur, Odisha | Heavy rain and strong wind continues to lash Chandipur, as widespread effect of the Cyclone Amphan.

Indian Navy on Alert | The Eastern Naval Command(ENC) is in high degree of readiness to render necessary humanitarian assistance. Indian Naval ships at Visakhapatnam are standing-by to proceed to the most affected areas to undertake Humanitarian Aid Distress Relief (HADR), evacuation, logistic support including providing medical aid.

◕ These ships are embarked with additional divers, doctors, inflatable rubber boats and relief material that include food, tentage, clothes, medicines, blankets etc, in sufficient quantities. 

NDRF Work Ongoing in Hasnabad, West Bengal:

#CycloneAmphan Updates 20/5/20-

𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝟎@NDRFHQ @ Work in Hasnabad, South 24 Pargana,West Bengal#WithPeople #NDRF4U#Committed2Serve #LetsFaceAmphanTogether @NDRFHQ @ndmaindia @PMOIndia @HMOIndia @PIBHomeAffairs @BhallaAjay26 @DDNewslive @ANI @airnewsalerts @PTI_News pic.twitter.com/aD2yjoX4xg

— ѕαtчα prαdhαnसत्य नारायण प्रधान ସତ୍ଯପ୍ରଧାନ-DG NDRF (@satyaprad1) May 20, 2020

G K Das on Cyclone Amphan | Wind speed along and off the coastal areas of West Bengal will reach 75 to 85 kmph with gusts up to 95 kmph from Wednesday morning along and off districts of North and South 24 Parganas, East and West Midnapore, Kolkata, Howrah and Hooghly, Regional Met director G K Das said.

ICG Ships & Aircraft Kept At Stand | Indian Coast Guard ships and aircraft are kept at stand by for deployment to undertake area scan, search & rescue and relief efforts amid the approaching Amphan Cyclone.

Cyclone Amphan Updates | Cyclone Amphan to move north-northeastwards and cross West Bengal-Bangladesh coast between Digha and Hatiya close to Sunderbans during afternoon to evening today with a wind speed of 155-165kmph gusting to 185 kmph, says IMD.

WB Prepares for Cyclone Amphan | There is also likelihood of extensive damage to standing crops, plantations and orchards and blowing down of palm and coconut trees, the Met said. The weatherman has advised diversion or suspension of rail and road traffic in the districts which are likely to be affected.

Strong Winds at Odisha's Kendrapara | Very strong winds at Odisha's Kendrapara, as Cyclone Amphan is expected to make landfall near Sunderbans in West Bengal today evening.

#WATCH Very strong winds at Odisha's Kendrapara, as cyclone 'AMPHAN' is expected to make landfall near Sunderbans in West Bengal today evening. pic.twitter.com/AHD2Wuo0ky

— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2020

Kolkata, Adjoining Areas Restrictions | There is likely to be disruption of rail and road link at several places, uprooting of communication and power poles, extensive damage to all types of 'kutcha' houses and some damage to "old badly managed pucca" structures and potential threat from flying objects, the weatherman warned.

Restrictions in Kolkata, Adjoining Areas | The Met department has advised that all establishments and markets remain closed in Kolkata and adjoining areas and movement of people be restricted on May 20.

All Operations Suspended at Kolkata Airport | All operations suspended at Kolkata Airport till 5 am tomorrow in view of Cyclone Amphan including special flights, which were operational in view of Covid-19 pandemic, Airport Director West Bengal told ANI.

Cyclone Amphan Lies 110km from Paradip | Cyclone Amphan lies 110km from Paradip and is moving at a speed of 18-19 kmph. An hour ago, wind speed of 102 kmph was observed at Paradip. Landfall expected near Sunderbans in West Bengal by late evening today. Next 6-8 hrs crucial, said PK Jena, Special Relief Commissioner, Odisha.

Intense Spell of Rainfall to Occur in Odisha Areas | The government has issued a notification for the intense spell of rainfall to occur in areas of Odisha today amid the approaching Cyclone Amphan.

NOWCAST WARNING NO-06
AT 0915 HRS IST DTD 20.05.2020

INTENSE SPELL OF RAINFALL VERY LIKELY TO OCCUR AT ONE OR TWO PLACES OVER THE DISTRICTS OF JAJPUR,JAGATSINGHPUR,DHENKANAL,CUTTACK AND KENDRAPARA BETWEEN 20/0930 HRS IST AND 20/1030 HRS IST.

— SRC, Govt of Odisha (@SRC_Odisha) May 20, 2020

Actions Taken in West Bengal: 
◕ All GH equipment have been secured firmly.
◕ PBBs have been anchored.
◕ AFLs have been lowered.
◕ All loose materials removed & safely grounded with counterweight.
◕ Sufficient diesel stocked for continuous operation of DG sets in case of power failure.
◕ Diesel de-watering pumps mobilised.
◕ Terminal roof inspected & joints have been strengthened.
◕ All sliding glass doors of terminal closed except 3C in arrival. Sand bags placed in critical locations.

Super Cyclone 120km E-SE of Paradip, Odisha | Super Cyclone Amphan is about 120 km east-southeast of Paradip, Odisha at 8:30 am today. To cross West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts between Digha (West Bengal) and Hatiya Islands (Bangladesh) close to Sunderbans. Landfall process to commence from the afternoon, says the India Meteorological Department.

Latest Station Observations in Odisha | Here are the latest station observations in Odisha:

#AmphanUpdates, #Odisha

Latest station Observations at 0730 Hrs IST of 20.05.2020 in connection with Super Cyclonic Storm #Amphan.#Paradip records highest wind speed of #102kmph and rainfall 208.3mm till #0730Hrs IST. pic.twitter.com/Er6DIPjxxw

— PIB in Odisha #StayHome #StaySafe (@PIBBhubaneswar) May 20, 2020

Evacuation, Alert Work Ongoing in WB | NDRF is involved in evacuation, alert work at  Hasnabad, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal.

#CycloneAmphan Updates 20/5/20-

𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝟎@NDRFHQ @ Work in Hasnabad, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal#WithPeople #NDRF4U#Committed2Serve #LetsFaceAmphanTogether @NDRFHQ @ndmaindia @PMOIndia @HMOIndia @PIBHomeAffairs @BhallaAjay26 @DDNewslive @ANI @airnewsalerts @PTI_News pic.twitter.com/T6vGgI9Vtv

— ѕαtчα prαdhαnसत्य नारायण प्रधान ସତ୍ଯପ୍ରଧାନ-DG NDRF (@satyaprad1) May 20, 2020