Cyclone Amphan Live Update! Bengal, Odisha on High Alert as Deep Depression Intensifies into Cyclonic Storm

The Cyclonic storm " AMPHAN" over Southeast Bay of Bengal and neighbourhood moved north-northwestwards with a speed of 06 kmph during past 06 hours, intensified slightly and lay centred over the same region at 0530 hrs IST of today, the 17th May, 2020 near latitude 11.4°N and longitude 86.0°E, about 990 km south of Paradip (Odisha), 1140 km south-southwest of Digha (West Bengal) and 1260 km south-southwest of Khepupara (Bangladesh). It is very likely to intensify further into a Severe Cyclonic Storm during 06 hours and into a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm during subsequent 12 hours. It is very likely to move nearly northwards during next 24 hours and then re-curve north-northeastwards across northwest Bay of Bengal and cross West Bengal - Bangladesh coasts between Sagar Islands (West Bengal) and Hatiya Islands (Bangladesh) during Afternoon/Evening of 20th May 2020 as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm, says Indian Metrological Department weather forecast.

Fishermen are advised not to venture into Odisha-West Bengal & adjoining Bangladesh coasts

Under its influence, Squally wind speed of the order of 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph is prevailing over southeast & adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal. It is likely to increase becoming 125-135 kmph gusting to 150 kmph over southern parts of central Bay of Bengal by 18th morning; 160-170 kmph gusting to 190 kmph over northern parts of central Bay of Bengal & adjoining north Bay of Bengal on 19th and 170-180 kmph gusting to 200 kmph over north Bay of Bengal by 20th morning. Fishermen are advised not to venture into these areas during these periods. Fishermen are advised not to venture into Odisha-West Bengal & adjoining Bangladesh coasts during 18th-20th May and those out at sea are advised to return to the coast.

Widespread rain/thundershowers with isolated heavy falls very likely over Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal

Scattered to fairly widespread rain/thundershowers with isolated heavy to very heavy falls very likely over Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal from 18th May onwards.

Conditions are favourable for advance of Southwest Monsoon into some parts of southeast Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea and Andaman & Nicobar Islands in next 12 hours.

Thundershowers with lightning and gusty winds likely over south peninsular India during next 4 days

Scattered to fairly widespread rain/thundershowers with lightning and gusty winds (30-40 kmph) very likely over south peninsular India during next 4 days along with isolated heavy rainfall activity over Kerala, Coastal & South Interior Karnataka, Lakshadweep and Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam during next 2 days.

Northeastern states likely to experience fairly widespread to widespread rain/thundershowers during next 5 days

Northeastern states are likely to continue to experience fairly widespread to widespread rain/thundershowers during next 5 days with isolated heavy to very heavy falls during 19th to 21th May. Mainly dry weather is likely to prevail over Northwestern plains of India.

Presently maximum temperatures of 41-44°C are prevailing over parts of Rajasthan, north Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Vidarbha. Heat wave conditions are likely to prevail in isolated pockets over Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh on 19th & 20th May

As per yesterday’s reports, rain/thundershowers observed at many places over Andaman & Nicobar Islands; at a few places over Arunachal Pradesh and at isolated places over Chhattisgarh, Odisha, West Bengal & Sikkim, Assam & Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & Tripura,Telangana and Lakshadweep.

Rainfall recorded (from 0830 to 1730 hours IST of yesterday) (1 cm or more):- Golaghat-3; Hyderabad-2; Koraput, Passighat, Jorhat, Agartala, Keonjhargarh, Gangtok, Nancowry-1 each.

As per yesterday’s reports, maximum temperatures were appreciably above normal (3.1°C to 5.0°C) at isolated places over Gangetic West Bengal and South Interior Karnataka while minimum temperatures were appreciably above normal (3.1°C to 5.0°C) at isolated places over Gujarat, Madhya Maharashtra and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim.