Updated at 10 PM IST | Super Cyclonic Storm ‘AMPHAN’ over West Bengal close to Kolkata as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm

The Super Cyclonic Storm ‘AMPHAN’ (pronounced as UM-PUN) over West Bengal coast moved north-northeastwards with a speed of 25 kmph during past 06 hours andlay centered at 2030 hrs IST of today, the 20th may 2020 over West Bengal near Lat. 22.7°N and Long. 88.6°E close toKolkata as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm with wind speed of 120-130 kmph gusting to 145 kmph 160 km northeast of Digha (West Bengal), 120 km north-northeast of Sagar Islands and 185 km west-northwest of Khepupara (Bangladesh).                         Kolkata (Alipur& Dumdum) both reported 100 kmph winds and 222 mm & 194 mm rainfall respectively at 2030 hrs IST of today, the 20^th May 2020.     The system is now being continuously tracked by the Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) at Kolkata (West Bengal).

Forecast track and intensity are given in the following table:

wind speed (Kmph)

Category of cyclonic disturbance

20.05.20/2030

22.7/88.6

120-130 gusting to 145

20.05.20/2330

23.2/88.8

100-110 gusting to 125

21.05.20/0530

24.6/89.3

60-70 gusting to 80

21.05.20/1130

26.0/90.3

30-40 gusting to 50

(1) Heavy rainfall Warning:

West Bengal

Rainfall at most places with heavy rainfall at isolated places likely over Gangetic West Bengal (east & west Howrah, Hoogli, Kolkata and adjoining districts)during next 06 hours.

Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim

Light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy falls at a few places over Malda& Dinajpur districts during next 12 hours and over most of the districts of Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim on 21^stMay, 2020.

Assam & Meghalaya

        Light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy falls at isolated places over Meghalaya during next 12 hours and heavy to very heavy falls at a few places over the western districts of Assam & Meghalaya on 21^st May.

(2) Wind warning

West Bengal & Odisha

• Squally wind, speed reaching 40 to 50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph is prevailing along and offBalasoredistrict of Odisha during next 3 hours. It will gradually decrease subsequently.
• Gale wind speed reaching 110 to 120 kmph gusting to 130 kmph very likely over Kolkata, Hoogli, Howrah and West Medinipur Districts and 80-90kmph gusting to 100 kmph over Bardhman, Murshidabad, & Nadia Districts of West Bengal . It is very likely to decrease during next 06 hours.

Deep Sea area

• Gale wind speed reaching 60-70 gusting to 80 kmph is prevailing over northern parts of northwest Bay of Bengal. It is likely to continue for next 6 hours. It will gradually decrease thereafter. Squally wind speed reaching 30-40 gusting to 50 kmph likely during subsequent 06 hours.

(3) Sea condition:

• Sea condition is rough to very rough over North Bay of Bengal and is likely to continue for next 12 hours.

(4) Fishermen Warning

• The fishermen are advised not to venture into North Bay of Bengal during next 12 hours. Also, fishermen are advised not to venture into North Bay of Bengal along and off North Odisha, West Bengal and adjoining Bangladesh coasts during next 12 hours.

(5)Damage Expected and Action suggested

(a) West Bengal (Howrah, Hoogli, Kolkata and adjoining interior districts)

Damage Expected:

• Total destruction of thatched houses/ extensive damage to kutcha houses.  Some damage to pucca houses. Potential threat from flying objects.
• Bending/ uprooting of power and communication poles.
• Major damage to Kutcha and andPucca roads. Flooding of escape routes.  Minor disruption of railways, overhead powerlines and signalling systems.
• Widespread damage to standing crops, plantations, orchards, falling of green coconuts and tearing of palm fronds. Blowing down of bushy trees like mango.
• Small boats, country crafts may get detached from moorings.
• Visibility severely affected.

Fishermen Warning & Action Suggested:

• Total suspension of fishing operations. Mobilise evacuation from coastal areas.
• Judicious regulation of rail and road traffic.
• People in affected areas to remain indoors.
• Movement in motor boats and small ships unsafe.

[Kindly visit www.rsmcnewdelhi.imd.gov.in and www.mausam.imd.gov.in for updates on the system.

Please follow the hourly bulletin on the link:

http://www.rsmcnewdelhi.imd.gov.in/images/bulletin/hourly.pdf ]

(Please see details and UPDATED graphics in this link here)