Cyclone Amphan: IMD issues high wind warning for Odisha, West Bengal

Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) today forecast high wind warning for Odisha and West Bengal ahead of the impending cyclonic storm ‘Amphan’.

Squally wind speed reaching 45 to 55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph is likely to commence along and off south Odisha coast from May 18 evening, extend to along & off north Odisha coast from May 19 morning and along and off West Bengal coast from May 19 afternoon.

The IMD further said the wind speed will gradually increase becoming gale wind speed reaching 75 to 85 kmph gusting to 95 kmph from May 20 morning in Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts of Odisha and east and west Medinipur, south and north 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hoogli, Kolkata Districts in West Bengal.

The wind speed will gradually increase thereafter becoming 110 to 120 kmph gusting to 135 kmph along & off the above mentioned districts of north Odisha and 120 to 140 kmph gusting to 155 kmph along and off the above districts of West Bengal from the afternoon of May 20, 2020.

The IMD said squally wind speed reaching 55-65 kmph gusting to 75 kmph likely to prevail over Puri, Khordha, Cuttack and Jajpur districts of Odisha during May 20, 2020.

Total destruction of thatched houses/ extensive damage to kutcha houses is expected in Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore, Jajpur and Mayurbhanj districts whereas there will be some damage to pucca houses. There will be potential threat from flying objects and bending/ uprooting of power and communication poles.
Major damage to kutcha and pucca roads and minor disruption of railways, overhead power lines and signalling systems are expected.

The IMD said 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.