New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday chaired a high-level meeting to review the response preparedness against cyclone Amphan developing in the Bay of Bengal, and assured all possible Central assistance to the states which are likely to be hit.
Soon after the meeting, the prime minister wrote on Twitter that he prays for everyone's safety "and assure all possible support from the central government."
At the review meet, PM Modi took stock of the situation and reviewed the measures as well as the evacuation plan presented by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), a statement from the Prime Minister''s Office said.
"During the presentation of the response plan, DG NDRF (SN Pradhan) informed that 25 NDRF teams have been deployed on the ground while 12 others are ready in reserve. Twenty-four other NDRF teams are also on standby in different parts of the country," the statement said.
The prime minister said he "reviewed the preparedness regarding the situation due to cyclone "Amphan". The response measures as well as evacuation plans were discussed."
Home Minister Amit Shah, Principal Advisor to the PM P K Sinha and Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba also attended the meeting.
Cyclone Amphan, which is expected to make a landfall in Bengal on Wednesday, has turned in to a "super cyclone", the weather office said this afternoon. It had intensified into an extremely severe cylonic storm overnight. "The Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm 'AMPHAN' (pronounced as UM-PUN) intensified into Super Cyclonic Storm at 1130 IST of today, the 18th May, 2020." The India Meteorological Department or IMD tweeted this afternoon.
It is likely to move north-northeastwards and fast across the northwest Bay of Bengal, and cross the West Bengal and Bangladesh coasts between Digha and the Hatia island as a very severe cyclonic storm, the department said.
This has raised the likelihood of heavy rains and high-velocity winds in coastal Odisha and the state government has initiated the process of evacuating people from the vulnerable areas. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea till May 21, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) PK Jena said.
Several southern states were also hit by heavy rain due to the storm. A "very heavy rain warning" has been issued for Odisha, West Bengal, Sikkim, Meghalaya till Thursday (May 21).
Here are the highlights on Cyclone AMPHAN:
May 19, 2020 00:45 (IST)
Cyclone Amphan: 32 National Disaster Response Teams Deployed in Odisha, Bengal, 21 On Standby
In view of the impending cyclone Amphan, 32 teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed in Odisha and West Bengal, and 21 teams have been kept on standby, Director General of NDRF SN Pradhan said on Monday, reported ANI.
"In West Bengal, 19 NDRF teams have been deployed and four teams have been kept on standby. In Odisha, 13 NDRF teams have been deployed and 17 teams have been kept on standby," said Mr Pradhan during a joint video press conference with Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) Director General (DG) Mritunjay Mohapatra.
May 19, 2020 00:21 (IST)
Cyclone Amphan: Odisha Will Likely Have To Evacuate Nearly 60,000 People, Says Official
Odisha will have to evacuate around 50,000 to 60,000 people amid the impending cyclone "Amphan", Chief Secretary Asit Kumar Tripathy said on Monday.
"We will have to evacuate around 50,000-60,000 people. 1,000 personnel of Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force have been deployed," Mr Tripathy told ANI.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has reviewed the current situation and coordination between various departments involved in the preparedness against the upcoming cyclone, he said.
May 18, 2020 21:21 (IST)
We will have to evacuate around 50,000-60,000 people. 1,000 personnel of Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force have been deployed. Chief Minister has reviewed the situation and coordination between various departments: Odisha Chief Secretary told news agency ANI
May 18, 2020 21:07 (IST)
Coastal West Bengal districts expected to receive heavy to extremely heavy rainfall on May 19 and 20, news agency PTI reported quoting India Meterological Department (IMD) Director General M Mohapatra
May 18, 2020 20:22 (IST)
Heavy to very heavy rainfall along with strong winds expected in districts along the coast tomorrow as supercyclone Amphan intensifies. All warnings and suggestive measures have been issued: HR Biswas, Director of Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar
May 18, 2020 19:53 (IST)
India Meteorological Department warned of storm surge of 4-6 meter height above astronomical tide, will inundate low lying coastal areas of West Bengal during landfall, news agency PTI reported quoting government
May 18, 2020 19:51 (IST)
Director Generals of India Meteorological Department (IMD) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) will hold a press conference at 8.30 pm today. This will be regarding Super Cyclone Amphan.
May 18, 2020 19:49 (IST)
All ships in anchorage area sent to safer waters. All operations inside the port to seize by today evening. In the township area, we've activated cyclone shelters. Availability of drinking water, cooked food, dry ration and masks being made: Chairman, Paradip Port Trust, Odisha
May 18, 2020 19:35 (IST)
Amphan now a "super cyclone" and it is a serious issue, the only other cyclone in Odisha in 1999 was very deadly, news agency PTI reported quoting NDRF Director General SN Pradhan
May 18, 2020 19:18 (IST)
Cyclone "Amphan" will cause heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in coastal districts of West Bengal, news agency PTI reported quoting government
May 18, 2020 19:17 (IST)
Cyclone "Amphan" to make landfall on West Bengal coast on May 20 evening as extremely severe cyclonic storm with wind speeds up to 195 kmph, news agency PTI reported quoting government
