Amphan Highlights: Storm Intensifies Into Super Cyclone, PM Modi Reviews Situation

Cyclone 'Amphan' intensified into a  super cyclonic storm on Monday and is all set to unleash heavy rains coupled with high-velocity winds in coastal Odisha, prompting the state government to prepare for the possible evacuation of 11 lakh people.

The extremely severe cyclonic storm 'Amphan', moving over west-central and adjoining central parts of south Bay of Bengal, is likely to gain more strength, the IMD said.

The high-velocity winds may cause extensive damage to mud houses and partial damage to 'pucca' structures, it said. It may lead to bending or uprooting of power and communication poles, minor disruption of railways and may affect overhead power lines and signalling systems and also cause widespread damage to standing crops, plantations, and orchards.

Catch all Highlights from the day here:

9:35PM: It's a dual challenge as cyclone Amphan is striking during COVID-19 outbreak; We are taking all precautions: NDRF DG.

9:33PM: We have dedicated 53 teams, including those on standby, for cyclone Amphan affected Odisha, West Bengal: NDRF

9:24PM: We don’t want to take ‘Amphan’ lightly as it’s only the second time that India is witnessing super cyclone, says NDRF DG SN Pradhan. 

8:03PM:  Cyclone "Amphan" has developed into a super cyclone in the Bay of Bengal on Monday and has the potential to cause extensive damage in the coastal districts of West Bengal when it makes landfall on Wednesday, the government has said. 

7:01PM: Originally assessed as an extremely severe cyclonic storm (ESCS), Amphan has already turned into a super cyclonic storm, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said. 

6:05 PM: During the review, PM was told that 25 NDRF teams deployed on ground for cyclone Amphan, 12 others ready in reserve: PMO

6:00 PM: PM Modi reviews response preparedness, evacuation plan presented by National Disaster Response Force, says PMO.

5:30 PM: In the wake of the threat posed by Amphan, the Indian Railways said that the New Delhi-Bhubaneswar special train will run on a diverted route for the next four days.

The Bhubaneswar-New Delhi-Bhubaneswar AC Special Train starting from Bhubaneswar from May 19 to 22 and from New Delhi from May 18 to 21 will run on the Bhubaneswar-Angul-Sambalpur City-Jharsuguda-Rourkela-Tata route and bypass the Bhadrak-Balasore-Hijli route.

4:30 PM: Following IMD's prediction of heavy rains in Kerala on account of the cyclonic storm 'Amphan', the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) placed 13 of the 14 districts under yellow alert. Yellow alert means people and authorities have to be cautious as heavy rainfall can be expected.

3:55 PM: 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, the IMD said.

3:30 PM: National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Director General SN Pradhan said that 37 NDRF teams have been deployed in seven districts of Odisha and six districts of West Bengal in view of cyclone Amphan.

12:35 PM: Cyclonic storm 'Amphan' is likely to intensify into a super cyclone by Monday evening and hit the West Bengal and Bangladesh coasts as a very severe cyclone with a wind speed up to 185 km per hour on Wednesday, the Home Ministry said.

12:30 PM: In an advisory to West Bengal and Odisha governments, the Home Ministry said 'Amphan' was spotted on Monday morning over the central parts of South Bay of Bengal and the adjoining central Bay of Bengal.

12:15 PM: "To review arising cyclone situation, PM Narendra Modi will chair a high-level meeting with MHA, NDMA at 4 pm Monday," says Home Minister Amit Shah.

11:30 AM: Coastal districts like Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak and Balasore are likely to experience heavy rainfall accompanied by high-velocity winds, particularly on May 19 and 20, IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said.

11:00 AM: H R Biswas, Director of the Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar said coastal Odisha is likely to experience light to moderate rainfall in many places from the evening of May 18 with heavy rain in some places in coastal Odisha districts like Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara.

10:00 AM: Pamban port authorities have hoisted 'cyclone warning cage number 2' at Pamban bridge, in view of very severe cyclonic storm 'Amphan' in Tamil Nadu.

Around 50 boats of fishermen have been damaged in Rameswaram following the thunderstorm and rainfall which hit parts of the state last night.

9:00 AM: As many as 10 NDRF teams and 15 ODRAF units have been pre-positioned in the coastal districts of Odisha to meet any eventuality due to the cyclone Amphan since Sunday.