Extremely severe cyclonic storm 'Amphan' made landfall at 2.30 pm today between Digha in West Bengal and Hatiya island in Bangladesh.

The landfall process, triggering heavy rain and gusty winds in Odisha and Bengal, will continue for about four hours.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRC) chief SN Pradhan said more than five Lakh people have been evacuated in West Bengal and 1,58,640 people in Odisha.

"The forward sector of the wall cloud region is entering into land in West Bengal. The intensity of the cyclone near its centre as the landfall process started was recorded at 160-170 kmph, gusting to 190 kmph," said the official.

"Bhadrak and Balasore (in Odisha) will continue to have damaging impact for 2-3 more hours. After this Odisha will not have any damaging impact," says Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) Chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra. 

Update:

The width of the wall cloud is around 120 kilometres and the diameter of the eye is about 40 kilometres. The rear side is about 120 kilometres and the entire process will be completed by 3-4 hours. South and North 24 Parganas will witness a lull as the eye of cyclone passes through, but heavy rains, strong winds will resume in the next 30 minutes.

Eye of storm over Gangasagar now, wind intensity 165kmph: IMD

Deaths in Bhadrak and Kendrapara districts of Odisha amid the cyclone

"We have received reports of a child's death at Tihidi in the Bhadrak district. The District Collector has sent a team, comprising tehsildar, medical and police officials. The exact cause will be ascertained after the autopsy," IANS quoted Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Pradeep Jena as saying.

Cyclone Amphan to completely enter land by 7 PM: IMD

Cyclone Amphan is currently crossing the West Bengal coast near the Sunderbans and will reach Kolkata by evening, IMD director general Mrutunjay Mohapatra said as the storm was making landfall. He said strong winds with an intensity of 160kmph have commenced in coastal West Bengal districts. (PTI)

Satellite image of the cyclonic storm crossing West Bengal coast

Super Cyclone Amphan is crossing West Bengal coast between Digha and Hatiya close to Sunderbans

"Amphan will reach Bangladesh as a cyclonic storm and Assam as a deep depression," says IMD DG.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee discusses cyclone situation with chief secretary Rajiva Sinha at Nabanna control room

"In view of the prevailing Covid-19 scenario, all teams are equipped with PPE," officials say as the NDRF, IMD and Health Ministry brief the media on the current situation of cyclone Amphan and coronavirus.

Damage expected post super cyclone Amphan's landfall:

1. Minor damage to power and communication lines.

2. Major damage to kutcha and minor damage to pucca roads. 

3. Breaking of tree branches, uprooting of small trees.

4. Damage to Banana and Papaya trees (IMD)