Cyclone Amphan in Bangladesh

Cyclone Amphan is expected to make landfall in Bangladesh on 20 May, on the coasts of India and Bangladesh between the Sagar Islands in West Bengal and the Hatiya Islands in Bangladesh.

The storm is currently Category Four on the Saffir-Simpson scale, but when it entered the Bay of Bengal on 18 May it was the strongest storm on record in the area and classified as a Super Cyclone. The storm had wind speeds of 270 kilometres per hour, but has since weakened to 200 kilometres per hour. The strong winds are expected to cause damage and the storm is forecast to bring heavy rain causing flooding.

Two million people have been evacuated in the area and are being placed in emergency shelters. The Coronavirus is complicating evacuations and emergency care, however, and the evacuees are expected to wear masks and gloves. To try to maintain distance between the evacuees, more than 12,000 shelters have been set up.

Related News and Resources

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