New Delhi : The Super Cyclonic Storm ‘AMPHAN’ (pronounced as UM-PUN) over Northwest and adjoining Westcentral Bay of Bengal moved nearly northwards with a speed of 19 kmph during past 06 hours and lay centred at 2330 hrs IST of 19th May, 2020 as an Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm over 

Northwest and adjoining Westcentral Bay of Bengal near latitude 18.4°N and longitude 87.1°E,about 210 km nearly south of Paradip (Odisha), 360 km south-southwest of Digha (West Bengal) and  510 km south-southwest of Khepupara (Bangladesh).It is very likely to move north-northeastwards across northwest Bay of Bengal and cross West Bengal – Bangladesh coasts between Digha (West Bengal) and Hatiya Islands (Bangladesh) close to Sundarbans during Afternoon to Evening hours of 20th May 2020 with maximum sustained wind speed of 155-165 kmph gusting to 185 kmph.

The system is now being continuously tracked by the Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) at Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), Paradip (Odisha) and Gopalpur (Odisha).

(1) Heavy rainfall Warning: Odisha 

Light to moderate rainfall is very likely at most places of coastal Odisha with heavy to very heavy 

rainfall at isolated places Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara and Bhadrak Districts and isolated heavy falls 

over Jajpur, Balasore, Cuttack, Mayurbhanj, Khordha & Puri districts on 19th May and isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places over north coastal Odisha (Balasore, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj,  Jajpur, Kendrapara and Keonjhargarh Districts) on 20th May 2020.

(2) Wind warning :West Bengal & Odisha

 Gale wind, speed reaching 70 to 80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph is prevailing along and off Jagatsinghpur

and Kendrapara districts of Odisha and squally wind speed reaching 55 to 65 kmph gusting to 75 

kmph is prevailing along & off remaining coastal districts of Odisha. Paradip reported wind speed of 67

kmph at 2230 IST of 19th May 2020.

 The wind speed will gradually increase becoming gale wind speed reaching 75 to 85 kmph gusting to 95 kmph from 20th morning along and off north Odisha coast (Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, 

Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts) and West Bengal coast (east & west Medinipur, south & north 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hoogli, Kolkata Districts). It will gradually increase thereafter becoming 100 to 110 kmph gusting to 125 kmph along & off the above mentioned districts of North Odishaduring forenoon to afternoon of 20th May 2020.

 Gale wind speed reaching 155 to 165 kmph gusting to 185 kmph very likely along & off east 

Medinipur and north & south 24 Parganas districts and 110-120 kmph gusting to 130 kmph over Kolkata, Hoogli, Howrah and West Medinipur Districts of West Bengal during the time of Landfall (20th afternoon to night).

 Squally wind speed reaching 55-65 kmph gusting to 75 kmph likely to prevail over Puri, Khordha, 

Cuttack, Jajpur districts of Odisha during 20th May 2020.

Damage Expected:Odisha (Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore, Jajpur & Mayurbhanj)

 Total destruction of thatched houses/ extensive damage to kutcha houses. Potential threat from flying objects.

 Bending/ uprooting of power and communication poles.

 Major damage to Kutcha and Pucca roads. Minor disruption of railways, overhead power lines 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.

Fishermen Warning & Action Suggested:

 Total suspension of fishing operations till 20th May 2020. 

 Diversion or suspension of rail and road traffic.

 People in affected areas to remain indoors. 

 Movement in motor boats and small ships not advisable.