Cyclone Amphan has turned into an ‘extremely severe cyclonic storm’ over the Bay of Bengal and is further likely to intensify as per IMD. A cyclone alert for West Bengal and north Odisha coasts has been issued by the IMD. Amphan Cyclone is expected to cross the coasts of West Bengal and Bangladesh on May 20. Cyclone Amphan is likely to bring heavy rainfall, coupled with strong wind, in coastal Odisha and West Bengal from May 18. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into north Bay of Bengal along and off West Bengal-Odisha coasts from May 18 to 21. The NDRF said it was ready to undertake massive evacuation of 11 lakh people likely to be severely hit by the cyclone Amphan. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has sent its 10 teams to Odisha and seven teams to West Bengal in view of the approaching Cyclone Amphan. West Bengal Home secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay said that the entire state machinery is prepared to deal with the situation.