{"id":74061,"date":"2025-12-01T10:05:37","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T04:35:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=74061"},"modified":"2025-12-01T12:20:54","modified_gmt":"2025-12-01T06:50:54","slug":"amphan-cyclone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/amphan-cyclone\/","title":{"rendered":"Amphan Cyclone, Formation, Causes, Location, Impact, History"},"content":{"rendered":"

Amphan Cyclone was one of the most destructive natural disasters ever recorded in the North Indian Ocean. It hit parts of Eastern India and Bangladesh in May 2020 and caused massive destruction to life, property and environment. As a super cyclonic storm, it brought extremely strong winds, heavy rainfall and flooding across coastal districts. This cyclone is remembered for its speed, intensity and the challenges it created during the COVID-19 pandemic. It became the costliest cyclone in the region\u2019s history and affected millions of people living near the Bay of Bengal.<\/span><\/p>\n

Amphan Cyclone<\/b><\/h2>\n

Amphan Cyclone 2020 was declared a Super Cyclonic Storm by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). It developed over the Bay of Bengal and reached peak intensity on 18 May 2020, with Amphan Cyclone Speed of Winds touching 240 km\/h. Amphan was the first super cyclone in the Bay of Bengal<\/strong><\/a> since 1999 and was the strongest storm to hit the Ganges Delta. The cyclone caused widespread damage in West Bengal, Odisha and Bangladesh. Its impact included uprooted trees, damaged crops, severe flooding and destruction of homes. Amphan also caused heavy losses in mango-producing regions of Bangladesh.<\/span><\/p>\n

Amphan Cyclone Formation<\/b><\/h2>\n

Amphan Cyclone formed from a low-pressure area that appeared over the Southeast Bay of Bengal on 13 May 2020. The system developed quickly because the sea surface temperature was very warm, between 32 and 34\u00b0C, and wind conditions were favourable for growth. By 15\u201316 May, the disturbance became a depression and then a cyclonic storm. On 17 May, Amphan strengthened rapidly because of strong outflow and low wind shear. Within hours, it transformed into an extremely severe cyclonic storm. On 18 May, it became a super cyclone with a well-defined eye.<\/span><\/p>\n

Amphan Cyclone Location<\/b><\/h2>\n

Amphan mainly developed over the Bay of Bengal and affected coastal regions of India and Bangladesh. The areas most affected in India were West Bengal, Odisha, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. In Bangladesh, the cyclone caused damage in Khulna, Barisal, Satkhira, and several coastal districts. The cyclone also influenced weather conditions in Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and Thailand. Its pathway remained close to the eastern coastline before making landfall near Bakkhali in West Bengal on 20 May 2020.<\/span><\/p>\n

Amphan Cyclone History<\/b><\/h2>\n

Amphan Cyclone occurred during the 2020 North Indian Ocean cyclone season. It was the first cyclone of that season and one of the strongest in history. After forming on 16 May, it intensified rapidly and became a super cyclone within two days. The highest wind speed recorded by IMD was 240 km\/h, while JTWC estimated 270 km\/h. Amphan was compared to major historical cyclones, including the 1999 Odisha super cyclone. After crossing the coast on 20 May, it weakened quickly and dissipated on 21 May 2020 over Bangladesh.<\/span><\/p>\n

Amphan Cyclone Pathway<\/b><\/h2>\n

The cyclone started southeast of Sri Lanka, moved northward and then northeastward across the Bay of Bengal. As it intensified, it travelled parallel to the eastern coast of India. On 20 May, around 2:30 PM IST, Amphan made landfall near Bakkhali, close to the Sundarbans in West Bengal. The storm then moved inland across North and South 24 Parganas, Kolkata, Howrah and Hooghly. After crossing into Bangladesh, it weakened but continued to cause heavy rainfall in Rajshahi, Rangpur and nearby regions. Finally, it weakened into a low-pressure area on 21 May.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Amphan<\/p>\n

Amphan Cyclone Naming<\/b><\/h2>\n

The name Amphan was suggested by Thailand. The word means \u201csky\u201d in the Thai language. Each country in the North Indian Ocean region contributes cyclone names to a common list used by meteorological agencies. Amphan\u2019s name was selected long before the cyclone developed. Since the storm was extremely destructive, the name \u201cAmphan\u201d was retired and will not be used for future cyclones in the region.<\/span><\/p>\n

Amphan Cyclone Causes<\/b><\/h2>\n

Several natural factors helped Amphan Cyclone grow into a very strong storm. These combined factors made Amphan intensify faster than normal cyclones in the Bay of Bengal.<\/span><\/p>\n