Cyclone Amphan to hit Odisha, WB
nNEW DELHI: The deep depression over southeast Bay of Bengal intensified into cyclonic storm, Amphan on Saturday evening. It is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm, in the next couple of days and is expected to affect the West Bengal and adjoining Odisha coasts, the India Meteorological Department said on Saturday.
It is likely to make landfall on West Bengal coast as a ‘very severe cyclonic storm’ on May 20 afternoon but the trajectory is still being studied by scientists who said details will be available on Sunday.
The cyclonic storm will intensify into a severe cyclonic storm during the next 12 hours (by May 17) and further intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm during the subsequent 24 hours by May 18.
“It is likely to move northnorthwestwards initially till May 17 and then recurve north-northeastwards across northwest Bay of Bengal towards West Bengal and adjoining Odisha coasts during May 18 and 20,” IMD’S Cyclone Warning Division said on Saturday.
“We will give details of landfall location on Sunday morning and an evacuation strategy can be made after that. State governments are being alerted. It may make landfall on West Bengal coast,” said M Mohapatra, director general, IMD.
“Adverse weather can be expected in Odisha and West Bengal coastal areas between May 18 and 20. These states are under pre-cyclone watch,” said Sunita Devi, IMD scientist in-charge for cyclones.
Squally wind speed reaching 45 to 55 kmph, gusting to 65 kmph is prevailing over southeast and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal currently.
It is likely to increase to 90-100 kmph, gusting to 110 kmph over eastcentral and adjoining west central Bay of Bengal by May 17 morning, 120-130kmph, gusting to 145 kmph over southern parts of central Bay of Bengal by May 18 morning, 155-165 kmph, gusting to 180 kmph over northern parts of central Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Bay of Bengal on May 19, and 160-170 kmph, gusting to 190 kmph over north Bay of Bengal by May 20.
Sea condition will be high (6-9 meters wave height/34-47 knots wind) over southwest and adjoining central Bay of Bengal from the May 16 night, very high (9-14 metres wave height /38-63 knots wind) over the same region from May 17 morning.
It will become phenomenal (over 14 metres wave height/64 knots) over southern parts of central Bay of Bengal on May 18, over northern parts of central Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Bay of Bengal on May 19 and over north Bay of Bengal on May 20, according to IMD’S statement.