Kolkata is bracing for the worst cyclone in decades with cyclonic storm Amphan all set to hit the city this evening and likely to stay for over 10 hours. At the speed of 130 km/h, the storm would likely uproot trees and electric poles, fears the met department in Kolkata.
"I think we need to be ready for the damage. Electric polls, telephone lines and trees would be uprooted. What is more fearful is that the wind speed will continue for hours," said Sanjib Banerjee, head of eastern zone of IMD. Cyclone Amphan is expected to hit Kolkata at 5 pm and would ravage through the city till 5 am on May 21. This is the first severe cyclonic storm in Kolkata that would stay in the city for around 10 hours.
The cyclone storm originated from the Bay of Bengal, gathered moisture from the air and acquired a super cyclonic form. It is expected to cross West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts between Digha (West Bengal) and Hatiya Islands (Bangladesh) close to the Sunderbans. The landfall is estimated to be at 4pm in the Sunderbans.
After the landfall, it would move northeast and create havoc in three districts-North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore. The speed of wind in these districts would be around 180 to 200 km/h. "Kolkata and its adjoining areas would face a wind speed of more than 100 km/h. It could increase up to 130," said Banerjee.
The met department has sent a series of advisory to the West Bengal government asking them to shut down all establishments, shops and restrict movement of people and public transport. Electricity distribution companies and the power department have been alerted on possible damages.
The West Bengal government on Tuesday evacuated several lakhs of people from Sagar, Ghoramara island and Kakdwip of Sunderbans. Similarly, people have been evacuated from Digha of East Midnapore.
Nineteen NDRF teams have been deployed and Kolkata corporation and all other municipalities have opened control rooms. People have been asked to stay indoors.
