Situation Status of Amphan Cyclone in Bangladesh
Background
According to Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD)’s special weather bulletin dated 19 May 2020, the ‘super cyclone’ Amphan was lying over west-central of Bay of Bengal and adjoining area and it was forecasted likely to move in a north-easterly direction and may cross Bangladesh coast between Khulna-Chattogram during late night of 19 May to afternoon/evening of 20 May. On 20 May, the BMD issued “great danger” signal number 10 for coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Jhalokathi, Pirojpur, Borguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barisal, Laxmipur, Chandpur and their offshore islands and chars . Following the great danger signal and evacuation order of the Government of Bangladesh (GoB), more than 2.4 million people were moved to 14,636 permanent and temporary shelters in 19 coastal districts before the cyclone hit the country's coast.
Cyclone Amphan had weakened from a super cyclone to an "extremely severe cyclonic storm" on 20 May 2020, causing strong winds and heavy rain in parts of Odisha, West Bengal in India and Bangladesh coastal areas as it advanced towards the India-Bangladesh coast. On 20 May 2020, it slammed into the coastal districts of West Bengal, India and then it entered Bangladesh in the evening with wind speed of 150 kmph and caused huge destruction in 26 districts across the country. 26 people were killed, seven people were injured due to treefall, boat capsize, wall collapse and drowning. More than 353,385 houses were damaged. It destroyed standing crops, vegetables and fruits on 176,000 hectares of lands, uprooted thousands of trees and damaged fish farms worth approximately CHF 36 million in the most impacted districts. 150kms of protection embankments, around 200 bridges and culverts, and 1,100kms of roads were damaged. About 15 million people lost electricity after the cyclone hit the country. Around 65 freshwater ponds inside the forest were flooded with seawater. 18,235 water points and 40,894 latrines were destroyed in most impacted districts. According to primary estimates, the cyclone caused damages worth around CHF 130 million. (Source: https://reliefweb.int/)
Cyclone track and its wind speed
16 May 2020: Cyclone Amphan formed over the Indian Ocean and started moving north over the Bay of Bengal.
17 May 2020: BDRCS activated its cyclone contingency plan and opened control rooms at the NHQs and in coastal districts.
18 May 2020: BDRCS triggered cyclone Early Action Protocol (EAP) as the triggering thresholds have exceeded based on forecasts and predicted impact.
19-20 May 2020: Approximately 2.4 million people evacuated to 14,636 permanent and temporary shelters in 19 coastal districts.
20 May 2020: Extremely severe cyclonic storm Amphan slammed into the coastal districts of West Bengal, India and then it entered Bangladesh at evening with wind speed of 150 kmph and caused destructions in 26 districts across the country.
Submerged areas after Amphan cyclone is identified from Sentinel 1 sensor data (RADAR Satellite). Special focus is given to Agricultural areas.
This is the status of 22 May 2020.
