Cyclone Amphan makes landfall, causes extensive damage in West Bengal

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has informed that cyclone Amphan made landfall at 2.30 pm IST. According to IMD, Amphan clocked wind speeds of 160-170 Kmph with gusts touching 190 Kmph. Heavy rains accompanied by extremely strong winds were recorded from several districts of West Bengal. The cyclone reached Kolkata at about 7 pm damaging scores of property. Over half a million people in West Bengal and 1 lakh people in Odisha have been evacuated. 40 companies of the National Disaster Response Force have been deployed across the state IMD had earlier warned that the two districts of North and South 24 Paraganas will be the worst hit. With heavy flooding caused by tidal waves 4-5 meters above astronomical tide. Heavy rains are likely to continue in West Bengal and Odisha for the next 24 hours.