SUPER CYCLONE AMPHAN

Why in news?

The storm system in the Bay of Bengal, Amphan, developed into a super cyclone on 18^th May 2020 and is expected to make landfall along the West Bengal-Bangladesh coast on 20^th May 2020, according to the Indian Meteorological Department.

Details

• Windspeeds are expected to hit 240 kmph and extensive damage along the coast is expected in Odisha and West Bengal.
• By the time it makes landfall in West Bengal, Amphan is expected to tone down into a category 4 Extremely Severe Cyclonic (ESC) storm with wind speed of 165-175 kmph and gusting to 195 kmph.
• Amphan is expected to bring “heavy to extremely heavy rainfall” over Gangetic West Bengal and heavy to very heavy rainfall over north coastal Odisha on May 19 and 20.

Warnings Include:

1. Extensive damage to all types of kutcha houses
2. Some damage to old badly-managed pucca structures
3. Potential threat from flying objects
4. Extensive uprooting of communication and power poles
5. Disruption of rail/road link
6. Extensive damage to standing crops, plantations, orchards.

Click Here to read more about Amphan and Classification of Cyclones (1^st Article)

Click Here to read more about the Formation of Cyclones

Click Here to read more about the Naming of Cyclones