Super Cyclone Amphan, the monster is here| The most powerful of the 21st century

Super Cyclone Amphan is very likely to hit the northern coast of Odisha, West Bengal, and Bangladesh on 20th May 2020. The cyclone was formed on the Bay of Bengal on 16th May 2020 and then intensified quicky to develop into an extremely severe cyclonic wind. The name Amphan, means “Sky” is given by Thailand as per the regional Tropical Cyclone naming procedure.

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Tropical Cyclone #Amphan has rapidly intensified into a Category 5 equivalent. A major storm surge threat is headed for parts of India and Bangladesh#India #CycloneUpdate #CycloneAmphan pic.twitter.com/WyWnOfXZei
— WhatMatters🗺️ (@sponge_it) May 18, 2020

Odisha and West Bengal region is among the most cyclonic prone geographical regions. Several super cyclones have hit the region in past too, the most recent being Cyclone Fani. Super Cyclone that had hit the Odisha coast in 1999 was the most devastating by far killing more than 10000 peoples. Although the earliest evidence can be tracked to 2nd century BCE inscription of an Odiya king Kharavela.

Tropical cyclones have usually more devastating effect as they are thermally induced and can suck a lot of moisture from the open sea surface. The easter coast of India is the hotspot of the tropical cyclones. Due to climate change, recent years have witnessed an increase in the frequency and strength of cyclones hitting the Odisha-WB-Bangladesh coastal best.

My SandArt at Puri sea beach in #Odisha with message “Stay safe & Don’t panic “ #CycloneAmphan pic.twitter.com/uhcQHQePi8
— Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) May 18, 2020

The Indian Meteorological Department has issued several warnings to the coastal regions.

Super Cyclone AMPHAN to cross West Bengal – Bangladesh coasts between Digha (West Bengal) and Hatiya Islands (Bangladesh) close to Sundarbans during afternoon to evening of 20th May 2020 with wind speed of 155-165 kmph gusting to 185 kmph. pic.twitter.com/gVd6w3vpYI
— India Met. Dept. (@Indiametdept) May 19, 2020

The National Disaster Management Force (NDRF) has deployed 32 Battalions in the region. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also reviewed NDRF preparedness and evacuation plan. NDMA has too issued a video guideline.

#CycloneAmphan | What To Do Before & During A #Cyclone #WestBengal #Odisha #BayOfBengal pic.twitter.com/yZTVxwkiCE
— NDMA India (@ndmaindia) May 18, 2020

1620 shelter camps have been set up and 106476 people have been evacuated so far in Odisha in view of Cyclone Amphan- ANI

1620 shelter camps have been set up and 106476 people have been evacuated so far in Odisha in view of #CycloneAmphan. pic.twitter.com/gDr6l9bPs0
— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2020

Some chilling clips of the deadly cyclone Amphan are already being reported.