Bhubaneswar: With millions in Odisha keeping their fingers crossed after the cyclonic storm Amphan over Bay of Bengal intensified into a Super Cyclone, India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday categorically stated that the system will not directly hit Odisha.
While answering questions on social media, IMD DG Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said that cyclone Amphan will move parallel along the coast and its core wind speed will be more over north coastal Odisha. The entire coastline of the State will experience rise in wind speed from tonight, said Mohapatra.
Location of Landfall:
Landfall of super cyclone Amphan will happen on May 20 between Digha in West Bengal and Hatiya Islands in Bangladesh. Its most probable track is passing through Sunderban (eye of the storm).
Considering that the size of the tropical cyclone diameter is 700 kms in this case and the diameter of central dense overcast cloud mass (associated with strongest winds) is about 120 kms in radius, if it crosses near Sunderban, it can have impact over all West Bengal districts and adjoining Bangladesh districts.
Since it is passing though delta and riverine areas, cyclone Amphan will have certain intensity up to Kolkata, Hooghly with strong wind.
Will Super Cyclone Amphan Have Same Impact As Cyclone Fani Last Year?
No, Fani hit Odisha near Puri directly at a speed of 170-180 kmph gusting up to 205 kmph. Super cyclone Amphan will not be directly hitting Odisha, but will pass parallel to Odisha coast and hit West Bengal & Bangladesh coast.
Cyclone Amphan is likely to follow the track/ path of cyclone Bulbul of November 2019. Cyclone Bulbul came close to Odisha coast and had damaging impact over north coastal districts. This time, Cyclone Amphan is stronger and its wind speed is higher than the cyclone Bulbul.
Will Cyclone Amphan Will Have Same Impact As 1999 Super Cyclone Of Odisha?
No, Odisha super cyclone had a wind speed of 260 to 280 kmph and it was stationary for about 30 hours near Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Paradip for which it had caused catastrophic damage.
In case of Cyclone Amphan, we do not expect it to be stationary and it will move fast and its intensity is less compared to super cyclone of 1999. But Cyclone Amphan will be extremely severe.
Which Districts of West Bengal Will Be Worst Affected?
South and North 24 Paraganas will be worst affected, followed by west and east Medinapore districts, Hooghly, Howrah and Kolkata.
What Will Be The Impact Of Cyclone Amphan In Puri And Ganjam?
In Puri, the wind speed predicted is to be around 55 to 65 kmph gusting up to 75 kmph and we do not expect much damage other than uprooting of trees and branches.
What Will Be The Impact On Bangladesh?
There will be extensive impact of super cyclone Amphan on Bangladesh. Storm surge of about 4 to 6 meters in adjoining areas of Bangladesh and wind speed of 165 to 175 kmph gusting to 195 kmph is likely.
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(Edited by Bikram Jena)