Cyclone Amphan — ‘May God protect everyone’: Virat Kohli prays for Bengal, Odisha

Virat Kohli is praying for Bengal and Odisha states after Cyclone Amphan wrecked havoc

Mumbai, First Published May 21, 2020, 12:11 PM IST | Last Updated May 21, 2020, 12:14 PM IST

Mumbai: Cyclone Amphan has wrecked havoc in West Bengal and Odisha. At least 17 people have died in the two states, according to latest reports on Thursday (May 21).

India cricket team captain Virat Kohli said he is praying for those affected by Cyclone Amphan. He hoped for things to improve soon.

Also read: At least 19 million children at 'imminent risk' due to Cyclone Amphan, warns UNICEF

“My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by #CycloneAmphan in Odisha and West Bengal. May God protect everyone out there and hope things get better soon. #PrayForWestBengal (sic),” the 31-year-old Kohli wrote on his Twitter account on Thursday.

Cyclone Amphan made landfall on Wednesday. Thousands of houses were destroyed, trees and electric poles were uprooted as heavy rain lashed Bengal. Kolkata airport was flooded as the city received 222mm rainfall.

Also read: Super cyclone claims 12 lives in Bengal

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel swung into action in both Odisha and Bengal. They were involved in restoration work.

Earlier on Thursday, Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said, “Cyclonic Storm ‘AMPHAN’ lay over Bangladesh at 0530 hrs IST of today. To weakened into a Deep Depression during next 3 hrs (sic).”

According to IMD, “The Super Cyclonic Storm ‘AMPHAN’ (pronounced as UM-PUN) moved north-northeastwards with a speed of 27 kmph during past 06 hours, further weakened into a Cyclonic Storm and lay centered at 0530 hrs IST of today, the 21st May 2020 over Bangladesh near Lat. 24.7°N and Long. 89.5°E about 270 km north-northeast of Kolkata, 150 km south of Dhubri and 110 km south-southeast of Rangpur (Bangladesh). It is very likely to continue to move north-northeastwards and weaken further into a Deep Depression during next 03 hours and into a Depression during subsequent 06 hours.”

“AMPHAN crossed West Bengal-Bangladesh coast between Digha (West Bengal) and Hatiya Islands (Bangladesh) across Sunderbans near lat 21.65N & long 88.3E between 1530 & 1730 hrs IST of 20th May with wind speed of 155-165 gusting to 185 kmph (sic),” IMD said on Wednesday.

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