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With severe cyclonic storm Amphan beginning landfall on Wednesday afternoon near Sunderbans, in West Bengal, more than 5 lakh people have been evacuated from nearby coastal areas in the state and other 1,58,640 people have been removed to safer areas in neighbouring Odisha, NDRF Director General of SN Pradhan said. The severe cyclonic storm is expected to reach Calcutta by this evening, according to the IMD.
“Based on the experiences during the Cyclone Fans, all NDRF teams are equipped with tree cutters/pole cutters after the landing of the restoration, if necessary. We deployed at least 20 teams in Odisha and 19 teams in the West Bengal and 2 in stand-by have been pre-positioned in consultation with the authorities of the state. These NDRF teams soon will begin the restoration work. All computers have wireless and satellite communications,” Pradhan said at a briefing.
“Taking into account the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic, all the NDRF teams have been equipped with PPE kits. We are not dependent on any communication system. It is another form of new normal, we have to manage disasters, taking into account the Covid-19 pandemic also,” the NDRF chief added.
ALSO READ | Cyclone Amphan begins to make landfall near Sunderbans in West Bengal very severe cyclonic storm
The cyclone Amphan of the landing process has led to intense rain and wind gusts in West Bengal and Orissa, and will continue for approximately four hours, according to the IMD.
“The cyclone Amphan has touched earth. The eye of the cyclone expected to make landfall any time now. The cyclone Amphan is expected to reach Calcutta by this evening,” IMD chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, said.
“The advancement of the sector of the wall cloud of the region has entered on the land in West Bengal. The intensity of the cyclone close to its center as the landing process began, was recorded at 160-170 km / h, increasing to about 190 km / h,” according to the IMD data.
In Odisha too, torrential rains and strong winds are lashing Chandipur, in Balasore district and Jagatsinghpur. Heavy rains and strong winds have affected several districts of noon on the Ganges in West Bengal increasing in intensity with every passing hour after the storm.
At 3:05 pm, the wind speed at the Kolkata airport was recorded at 76 km per hour, the meteorological office said.
Pradhan said that all the 20 teams present in Odisha have been implemented, leaving no one in the reserve, while in the West Bengal’s 19 teams have been deployed, while two have been kept in reserve.
“The situation is fast changing. Our duty becomes even more now, and after the cyclone. It is a long and difficult way,” he said, adding that the NDRF is to keep a close watch on the Cyclone Amphan.
Pradhan said that the implementation is more in the regions that are facing greater pressure due to the intense climate caused by the cyclonic storm.
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