The Meteorological Department of India (IMD) has warned that Cyclone 'Amphan' in the central parts of South Bay of Bengal is going to take the form of Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm in the next few hours.  If this happens, torrential rains will start in the coastal districts of Bengal from Monday with thunderstorms.

Meteorologists have expressed the possibility that winds of 60 to 65 kmph may be blowing in coastal districts of Bengal on Tuesday.  The speed of the storm can increase to 95 km on Wednesday, causing widespread damage.  The sea will begin to become turbulent with the storm moving towards the land.  In view of this, the administration has started moving people living in the maritime areas to safe places.  Fishermen have been strictly advised not to go to sea.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has sent 10 of its teams to Odisha and seven to West Bengal to deal with any situation in the wake of cyclone 'Amphan'. In West Bengal, NDRF teams are stationed in South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas, East and West Midnapore, Howrah and Hooghly and in Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Balasore, Jajpur, Bhadrak and Mayurbhanj in Odisha.  The NDRF is monitoring the situation in the wake of the storm and is working with the states and their disaster management teams and IMD.