Millions Evacuate As Super Cyclone Hits India, Bangladesh

By Stefan J. Bos, Special Correspondent Worthy News

(Worthy News) – Authorities in India and neighboring Bangladesh ordered millions of people to leave their homes in coastal areas ahead of a super cyclone, the most significant storm in a decade.

Cyclone Amphan, approaching from the Bay of Bengal, was due to make landfall at the India-Bangladesh border later on Wednesday.

It was set to bring heavy rain and wind speeds reaching up to 115 miles (185 kilometers) per hour when the cyclone hits, warned the India Meteorological Department.

Amid the chaos, more than 20 relief teams were deployed, and several more are on standby, Indian officials told media.

Forecasters warned of massive destruction due to high winds, heavy rainfall, tidal waves and flooding in crowded cities such as Kolkata.

“This type of cyclone can be disastrous … It is completely unsafe,” India’s meteorological chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said Tuesday.

Cyclone Amphan comes as the region is facing a coronavirus pandemic with India reporting its highest number of new cases on Sunday. Under virus-related social distancing orders, cyclone shelter capacity is reportedly reduced by more than half.

Amid the storm, India continued easing its lockdown after the death toll of coronavirus related cases rose to nearly 3,200. Smaller Bangladesh says so far 370 people died of the coronavirus disease COVID-19.

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