Storm Amphan is a tropical storm that has caused huge damage in the eastern part of India and Bangladesh
. What is a tropical storm? It is when the wind speed is 39 miles per hour or more and mainly forming over Tropical oceans such as central Pacific ocean, central Atlantic, and most of Indian Ocean. Imagine walking by the road and a car that is at more than 39 mph is going through you. And that's what people are going through now in Eastern and Western India.
Due to this, there was the coming of first tropical cyclone of the 2020 North Indian cyclone season. And is grueling to cope with such a disaster amid the coronavirus pandemic. Coastal areas of Odisha —as well as Kolkata and South 24 Parganas in West Bengal, were affected by this cyclone. It also caused significant destruction in the neighboring country of India, Bangladesh. It is regarded as the most threatening cyclone to hit West Bengal in the last 100 years. After analyzing the cyclone, the authorities concluded that almost 39.8 million people in India and Bangladesh could be at the risk of the exposure of the storm. Ships and aircraft of the Indian coast guard directed all fishing boats to the harbor in coordination with the administrations and fisheries departments of Odisha and West Bengal.
EVACUATION
The government of Odisha contacted the magistrates of districts to arrange shelter homes for the people who are being evacuated. Shelters could only be filled to only 33 percent capacity(1/3rd) to maintain social distancing guidelines due to the pandemic. Due to the Social distancing guidelines in West Bengal, the evacuation capacity in shelters reduced from 500,000 people to 200,000 people. The corporation of Kolkata used the school buildings and office spaces to accommodate them. Approximately 4.2 million people were evacuated living in coastal India and Bangladesh, with roughly 2 million from India and 2.2 million from Bangladesh Odisha has managed to get a place that can accommodate up to 1 million people.
IMPACT OF THE CYCLONE
The cyclone caused roaring clouds with the hefty force of winds that were destroying huts, farmer market tents, buildings, trees, and hopes.
It affected only a few people living in the area where the cyclone strikes first. The cyclone triggered floods and landslides. West Bengal which was the epicenter of the cyclone's landfall, experienced the most widespread damage from Amphan(storm) than any other place. Unfortunately, 72 people have been lost in the state due to this disaster. It has damaged roads and destroyed homes and has also caused to displace many families from their respective places.
The government of India has responded well to this situation and has managed to save maximum amount of lives. Prime minister, Narendra Modi quickly announced a 1000 crore package or 139 million dollars package as a relief fund for those affected. So every day, we should be grateful for what we have and use that as a gift to help the people who are victims of this misfortune, which is leaning towards them causing displacement and leaving their hometowns and going to other places for survival during these devastating times.
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