Amphan Toofan: Amit Shah promised to help Mamata and Patnaik

New delhi date. 19 May 2020, Tuesday

Cyclone Amphan is moving towards Odisha and West Bengal at breakneck speed. Meanwhile, Union Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday held talks with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. He has assured all possible assistance to both the states through the Center.

Amit Shah first spoke to the West Bengal Chief Minister. According to ministry sources, Shah has assured the chief minister that the Center is committed to help the state and an NDRF team has already been deployed. The Central Government is ready to provide any assistance expected from the state. The Home Minister then spoke to Odisha Chief Minister Patnaik and reviewed the preparations made for the storm. He said the central government was ready to provide all necessary assistance to both the states.

Home Minister Amit Shah has also spoken to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and reviewed the preparedness. He reiterated that Central Government is ready to provide any support needed from them by both the affected states: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) https://t.co/dpy6a5f5RS

- ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2020

The cyclonic storm will turn into a very severe cyclonic storm by Tuesday evening. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said the cyclone could cause heavy rains along with thunderstorms in coastal areas of Odisha. The Odisha government has started evacuating 1.1 million people from coastal areas. Hurricane Amphan will reach the coast of West Bengal by the evening of May 20 at a speed of about 195 kmph.