Quick Links
Quick Links
UPSC Exams
Latest Update
Coaching
UPSC Current Affairs
Syllabus
UPSC Notes
Previous Year Papers
UPSC Mains Previous Year Question Papers Last 25 Years UPSC Prelims Question Papers Last 10 Years UPSC Question Papers UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 Question Paper UPSC Mains 2024 Model Answers UPSC 2024 Question Papers UPSC 2023 Question Papers UPSC 2022 Question Papers UPSC 2021 Question Papers UPSC 2020 Question Papers UPSC 2019 Question Papers UPSC 2018 Question Papers UPSC 2017 Question Papers UPSC 2016 Question Papers UPSC 2015 Question Papers UPSC 2014 Question Papers UPSC CSAT Question Papers UPSC IFS Previous Year Paper UPSC Assistant Labour Commissioner Previous Question Year Papers UPSC Combined Geo Scientist Previous Year Paper UPSC APFC Previous Year Question Papers UPSC CMS Previous Year Question Paper UPSC EPFO Previous Year Paper UPSC Air Safety Officer Previous Year Papers UPSC SO Steno Previous Year Paper UPSC IES ISS Previous Year Question Papers
Mock Tests
UPSC Editorial
Bilateral Ties
Albania India Relations India Algeria Relations Andorra India Relations India Angola Relations India Antigua Barbuda Relations India Argentina Relations Austria India Relations India Azerbaijan Relations Bahamas India Relations India Bahrain Relations Barbados India Relations India Belarus Relations Belgium India Relations Belize India Relations Benin India Relations Bolivia India Relations India Bosnia Herzegovina Relations India Botswana Relations Brazil India Relations Brunei India Relations Bulgaria India Relations Burundi India Relations Cabo Verde India Relations India Cambodia Relations India Cameroon Relations Canada India Relations India Cayman Islands Relations India Central African Republic Relations India Chad Relations Chile India Relations India Colombia Relations India Comoros Relations India Democratic Republic Of The Congo Relations India Republic Of The Congo Relations India Cook Islands Relations India Costa Rica Relations India Ivory Coast Relations India Croatia Relations India Cyprus Relations India Czech Republic Relations India Djibouti Relations India Dominica Relations India Dominican Republic Relations India Ecuador Relations India El Salvador Relations India Equatorial Guinea Relations India Eritrea Relations Estonia India Relations India Ethiopia Relations India Fiji Relations India Finland Relations India Gabon Relations India Gambia Relations India Georgia Relations Germany India Relations India Ghana Relations India Greece Relations India Grenada Relations India Guatemala Relations India Guinea Relations India Guinea Bissau Relations India Guyana Relations India Haiti Relations India Holy See Relations India Honduras Relations India Hong Kong Relations India Hungary Relations India Iceland Relations India Indonesia Relations India Iran Relations India Iraq Relations India Ireland Relations India Jamaica Relations India Kazakhstan Relations India Kenya Relations India Kingdom Of Eswatini Relations India Kiribati Relations India Kuwait Relations India Kyrgyzstan Relations India Laos Relations Latvia India Relations India Lebanon Relations India Lesotho Relations India Liberia Relations Libya India Relations Liechtenstein India Relations India Lithuania Relations India Luxembourg Relations India Macao Relations Madagascar India Relations India Malawi Relations India Mali Relations India Malta Relations India Marshall Islands Relations India Mauritania Relations India Micronesia Relations India Moldova Relations Monaco India Relations India Montenegro Relations India Montserrat Relations India Morocco Relations Mozambique India Relations India Namibia Relations India Nauru Relations Netherlands India Relations India Nicaragua Relations India Niger Relations India Nigeria Relations India Niue Relations India North Macedonia Relations Norway India Relations India Palau Relations India Panama Relations India Papua New Guinea Relations India Paraguay Relations Peru India Relations India Philippines Relations Qatar India Relations India Romania Relations Rwanda India Relations India Saint Kitts And Nevis Relations India Saint Lucia Relations India Saint Vincent And Grenadines Relations India Samoa Relations India Sao Tome And Principe Relations Saudi Arabia India Relations India Senegal Relations Serbia India Relations India Sierra Leone Relations India Singapore Relations India Slovak Republic Relations India Slovenia Relations India Solomon Islands Relations Somalia India Relations India South Sudan Relations India Spain Relations India Sudan Relations Suriname India Relations India Sweden Relations India Syria Relations India Tajikistan Relations Tanzania India Relations India Togo Relations India Tonga Islands Relations India Trinidad And Tobago Relations India Tunisia Relations India Turkmenistan Relations India Turks And Caicos Islands Relations India Tuvalu Relations India Uganda Relations India Ukraine Relations India Uae Relations India Uruguay Relations India Uzbekistan Relations India Vanuatu Relations India Venezuela Relations India British Virgin Islands Relations Yemen India Relations India Zambia Relations India Zimbabwe Relations
Books
Government Schemes
Production Linked Incentive Scheme Integrated Processing Development Scheme Rodtep Scheme Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme Saathi Scheme Uday Scheme Hriday Scheme Samagra Shiksha Scheme India Nishta Scheme Stand Up India Scheme Sahakar Mitra Scheme Mdms Mid Day Meal Scheme Integrated Child Protection Scheme Vatsalya Scheme Operation Green Scheme Nai Roshni Scheme Nutrient Based Subsidy Scheme Kalia Scheme Ayushman Sahakar Scheme Nirvik Scheme Fame India Scheme Kusum Scheme Pm Svanidhi Scheme Pmvvy Scheme Pm Aasha Scheme Pradhan Mantri Mahila Shakti Kendra Scheme Pradhan Mantri Lpg Panjayat Scheme Mplads Scheme Svamitva Scheme Pat Scheme Udan Scheme Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat Scheme National Pension Scheme Ujala Scheme Operation Greens Scheme Gold Monetisation Scheme Family Planning Insurance Scheme Target Olympic Podium Scheme
Topics
NASA Space Missions
NASA Mercury-Redstone 3 (Freedom 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Redstone 4 (Liberty Bell 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 6 (Friendship 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 7 (Aurora 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 8 (Sigma 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 9 (Faith 7) Mission NASA Gemini 3 Mission NASA Gemini 4 Mission NASA Gemini 5 Mission NASA Gemini 7 Mission NASA Gemini 8 Mission NASA Gemini 9 Mission NASA Gemini 10 Mission NASA Gemini 11 Mission NASA Gemini 12 Mission NASA Apollo 1 (AS‑204) Mission NASA Apollo 7 Mission NASA Apollo 8 Mission NASA Apollo 9 Mission NASA Apollo 10 Mission NASA Apollo 11 Mission NASA Apollo 12 Mission NASA Apollo 13 Mission NASA Apollo 14 Mission NASA Apollo 15 Mission NASA Apollo 16 Mission NASA Apollo 17 Mission NASA Skylab Orbital Workshop Mission NASA Skylab 2 Mission NASA Skylab 3 Mission NASA Skylab 4 Mission NASA Apollo–Soyuz Test Project Mission NASA STS‑1 Columbia Mission NASA STS‑3 Columbia Mission NASA STS‑7 Challenger Mission NASA STS‑8 Challenger Mission NASA STS‑41B Challenger Mission NASA STS‑41G Discovery (1st female EVA) Mission NASA STS‑51L Challenger (accident) Mission NASA STS‑26 Discovery (Return‑to‑Flight) Mission NASA STS‑31 Discovery (Hubble Launch) Mission NASA STS‑49 Endeavour (first capture EVA) Mission NASA STS‑61 Endeavour (Hubble Servicing 1) Mission NASA STS‑73 Columbia (microgravity) Mission NASA STS‑95 Discovery (John Glenn returns) Mission NASA STS‑107 Columbia (accident) Mission NASA STS‑114 Discovery (RTF‑2) Mission NASA STS‑120 Discovery (Node 2) Mission NASA STS‑125 Atlantis (Final Hubble Service) Mission NASA STS‑132 Atlantis Mission NASA STS‑135 Atlantis (Final Shuttle flight) Mission NASA Artemis I (Orion/ SLS‑1) Mission NASA Artemis II (Planned) Mission NASA Artemis III (Planned lunar landing) Mission NASA Mariner 4 Mission NASA Mariner 6 Mission NASA Mariner 7 Mission NASA Mariner 9 Mission NASA Viking 1 Orbiter/Lander Mission NASA Viking 2 Orbiter/Lander Mission NASA Mars Pathfinder & Sojourner Mission NASA Mars Global Surveyor Mission NASA 2001 Mars Odyssey Mission NASA Mars Exploration Rover – Spirit Mission NASA Mars Exploration Rover – Opportunity Mission NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Mission NASA Phoenix Mars Lander Mission NASA InSight Mars Lander Mission NASA Mars 2020 (Perseverance & Ingenuity) Mission NASA Mars Sample Return – SRL (planned) Mission NASA Pioneer 10 Mission NASA Pioneer 11 Mission NASA Voyager 1 Mission NASA Voyager 2 Mission NASA Galileo Jupiter Orbiter/Probe Mission NASA Cassini–Huygens Mission NASA New Horizons (Pluto & KBO) Mission NASA Juno Mission NASA Europa Clipper (planned) Mission NASA Parker Solar Probe Mission NASA Solar Orbiter (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA Surveyor 1 Mission NASA Lunar Orbiter 1 Mission NASA Lunar Prospector Mission NASA LCROSS Mission NASA LADEE Mission NASA Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Mission NASA CAPSTONE Mission NASA VIPER Rover (planned) Mission NASA NEAR Shoemaker Mission NASA Deep Space 1 Mission NASA Stardust Mission NASA Genesis Mission NASA Deep Impact Mission NASA Dawn (Vesta/Ceres) Mission NASA OSIRIS‑REx Mission NASA Lucy Mission NASA DART Mission NASA Landsat‑1 (ERTS‑1) Mission NASA Landsat‑5 Mission NASA Landsat‑9 Mission NASA Terra Mission NASA Aqua Mission NASA Aura Mission NASA Suomi NPP Mission NASA Sentinel‑6 Michael Freilich Mission NASA ICESat‑2 Mission NASA GRACE‑FO Mission NASA SMAP Mission NASA GPM Core Observatory Mission NASA CALIPSO Mission NASA CloudSat Mission NASA NISAR (NASA‑ISRO) Mission NASA Explorer 1 Mission NASA COBE Mission NASA Compton Gamma Ray Observatory Mission NASA Hubble Space Telescope Mission NASA Chandra X‑ray Observatory Mission NASA Spitzer Space Telescope Mission NASA WISE Mission NASA Kepler Mission NASA TESS Mission NASA Fermi Gamma‑ray Space Telescope Mission NASA NICER Mission NASA IXPE Mission NASA Roman Space Telescope (planned) Mission NASA NuSTAR Mission NASA GALEX Mission NASA Swift Mission NASA SOHO (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA Cluster II (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA TIMED Mission NASA STEREO‑A/B Mission NASA MMS Mission NASA IRIS Mission NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory Mission NASA X‑37B OTV‑1 (USAF/NASA liaison) Mission NASA X‑59 QueSST Mission NASA Mars Helicopter Ingenuity Mission NASA Valkyrie R5 Robot Mission NASA Low‑Boom Flight Demo Mission NASA CRS‑1 Dragon Mission NASA CRS‑1 Cygnus Mission NASA Crew Dragon Demo‑2 Mission NASA Starliner OFT‑2 Mission NASA STS-2 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-4 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-5 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-6 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-41C (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-41D (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-51A (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-61C (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-26 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-27 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-29 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-30 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-32 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-34 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-38 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-45 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-60 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-70 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-71 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-73 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-88 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-92 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-97 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-99 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-100 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-104 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-106 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-110 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-112 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-115 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-116 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-117 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-118 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-120 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-122 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-123 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-126 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-130 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA Vanguard 1 Mission NASA Transit 1B Mission NASA Echo 1 Mission NASA Telstar 1 Mission NASA Syncom 3 Mission NASA ATS‑6 Mission NASA Skynet Mission NASA Nimbus‑1 Mission NASA Nimbus‑7 Mission NASA ERS-1 Mission NASA SeaSat Mission NASA QuikSCAT Mission NASA Jason‑1 Mission NASA Jason‑3 Mission NASA ICESat Mission NASA Earth Observing‑1 Mission NASA Orbiting Carbon Observatory‑2 Mission NASA CYGNSS Mission NASA PACE Mission NASA TRMM Mission NASA Terrestrial Planet Finder (cxl) Mission NASA Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) Mission NASA Explorer 33 Mission NASA Voyager Interstellar Mission Mission NASA Helios‑A Mission NASA Helios‑B Mission NASA ISEE‑3 (ICE) Mission NASA ACE Mission NASA DSCOVR Mission NASA IBEX Mission NASA Solar Orbiter Heliospheric Imager Mission NASA SAGE‑III ISS Mission NASA SPACE Telescope Imaging Spectrograph Mission NASA ARIEL (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA OSAM‑1 (Restore‑L) Mission NASA Dragonfly (Titan rotorcraft) Mission NASA VERITAS (Venus orbiter) Mission NASA DAVINCI (Venus probe) Mission NASA SPHEREx Mission NASA MAGGIE (Mars Geophysical) Mission NASA CLPS – Peregrine Mission NASA CLPS – VIPER Delivery Mission NASA CAPSTONE Mission NASA Gateway (HALO / PPE) Mission NASA Mars Telecommunication Orbiter (cxl) Mission NASA Mars Polar Lander (MPL) Mission NASA Mars Climate Orbiter Mission NASA Pathfinder Mission Mission NASA SLS Block 1B (Exploration Upper Stage) Mission NASA Orion Crew Module Mission NASA Commercial LEO Destinations – Axiom Station Mission NASA ISS Expedition 1 Mission NASA ISS Expedition 70 Mission NASA CRS‑11 (Dragon) Mission NASA CRS‑21 (Dragon 2) Mission NASA Snoopy CubeSat Mission
Home / IAS Preparation / Amphan Cyclone

Amphan Cyclone - Formation, Timeline, Causes, Preparation for Cyclone Amphan, Effects & More

Last Updated on Oct 20, 2023
Also Read Amphan Cyclone in Hindi
Download As PDF
IMPORTANT LINKS
Agriculture Notes For UPSC Public Administration UPSC Notes Modern History Books For UPSC Overseas Citizen Of India Caste System & Panchayati Raj Godavari River Federalism Indira Point New Development Bank Battle Of Sinhagad Sankalp And Strive Schemes Digital India High Yielding Varieties Economic Growth Development League Of Nations Ease Of Doing Business Mid Day Meal Scheme Wildlife Protection Act 1972 UPSC Notes International Union Conservation Nature

Super tropical cyclone Amphan made its way out of the Bay of Bengal in May 2020. Since the cyclone that hit Odisha in 1999, it is thought to be the first super cyclonic storm to hit the Bay of Bengal. It is a component of the season for cyclones in the North Indian Ocean. The Amphan Cyclone was regarded as a “very violent cyclonic storm” that struck Bangladesh and the Indian states of West Bengal and Odisha. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi announced a ₹10 billion immediate relief package for West Bengal and ₹5 billion relief for Odisha.

In this article, we shall discuss Cyclone Amphan for the UPSC IAS exam in detail, which is also a significant part of the GS paper-1 syllabus.

Enroll in Geography Optional Coaching and start preparing for your Mains.

To study more Geography Topics, click here: Geography UPSC Notes!

What is Amphan Cyclone?

Amphan Cyclone was an extremely powerful and destructive tropical cyclone. It struck eastern India and Bangladesh in May 2020. It was the strongest tropical cyclone to strike the Ganges Delta since the 1999 Odisha cyclone. It is the fourth supercyclone to hit West Bengal and Kolkata since 2015.Image Source: PIB

Study in detail about Biological Disaster Management here!

Why is the Cyclone named Amphan?

  • The World Meteorological Organization/United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific compiled a list of names that countries submitted, and “Amphan” was one of those names.
  • The panel that India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Oman, and Thailand choose the names of cyclones in a certain area.
  • Periodically, the countries will choose names from a pool of submitted cyclone names.
  • The last name on the current list before a new one starts is “Amphan.”
  • Thailand gave the name Amphan, pronounced “Um-pun,” to the country in 2004. Amphan means sky.

Study in detail about Cyclones & Anticyclones with this link!

FREEMentorship Program by
Ravi Kapoor, Ex-IRS
UPSC Exam-Hacker, Author, Super Mentor, MA
100+ Success Stories
Key Highlights
Achieve your Goal with our mentorship program, offering regular guidance and effective exam strategies.
Cultivate a focused mindset for exam success through our mentorship program.
2 Lakh+ Students Mentored Get
Get Free Mentorship Now
UPSC Beginners Program

Get UPSC Beginners Program SuperCoaching @ just

₹50000

Claim for free
Want to know more about this pass ?
Explore SuperCoaching

Amphan and Important Regions 

Some of the important regions of the Amphan cyclone are listed in the table below.

Amphan and Important Regions

Bangladesh

Odisha

West Bengal

Hatiya Island
  • Paradip Coast
  • Bhadrak
  • Jagatsinghpur
  • Kendrapara
  • Balasore
  • East Midnapore, South 24-Parganas and North 24-Parganas
  • Digha Island
  • Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Trust (SPMPT)
  • Howrah
  • Hooghly
  • Kolkata of Gangetic West Bengal

Study in detail about the Nisarga Cyclone with this link!

Formation of the Amphan Cyclone

A low-pressure region formed over the southeast Bay of Bengal and the South Andaman Sea on May 13, 2023. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts it could develop into a cyclone by May 16. The low-pressure area is expected to move to the core regions of the southern Bay of Bengal by May 15 and become a depression. It is then expected to move northwest before veering northeast. IMD has not yet released any information about a potential cyclone landfall in India or elsewhere. Another low-pressure system has developed in the region in the past two weeks. However, this system did not strengthen and eventually dissipated. IMD has said that this was due to a severe vertical shear, a change in winds from the surface to the upper atmosphere that prevents cyclones from forming.

Study in detail about Tropical Cyclones here!

Timeline of Amphan Cyclone

Here is a timeline of the Amphan Cyclone:

  • May 13, 2020: A low-pressure area forms over the southeastern Bay of Bengal and the South Andaman Sea.
  • May 16, 2020: The low-pressure area develops into a depression. It is designated BOB 01 by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
  • May 17, 2020: The depression intensifies into a cyclonic storm and is named Amphan by the IMD.
  • May 18, 2020: Amphan intensifies into a severe cyclonic storm and then into a very severe cyclonic storm.
  • May 19, 2020: Amphan intensifies into an extremely severe cyclonic storm. It is the highest category of cyclonic storms in the Indian subcontinent.
  • May 20, 2020: Amphan makes landfall near Digha, West Bengal, India, with winds of 155 km/h (96 mph). The cyclone then weakens as it crosses West Bengal and Bangladesh, but it still causes widespread damage.
  • May 21, 2020: Amphan dissipates over the North Bay of Bengal.

Study in detail about the Bomb Cyclone with this link!

Causes of Amphan Cyclone

The Amphan Cyclone was caused by a combination of factors, including:

  • Warm sea surface temperatures: The Bay of Bengal was experiencing abnormally warm sea surface temperatures at the time of the cyclone. This provided the energy that the cyclone needed to form and intensify.
  • Favorable atmospheric conditions: The upper atmosphere was also favorable for the development of a cyclone. There was low wind shear and a weak vertical wind profile. This allowed the cyclone to maintain its structure and intensify.
  • Low-level convergence: There was also low-level convergence, which is the coming together of winds from different directions. This convergence helped to concentrate the energy in the cyclone and to further intensify it.

Study in detail about Cyclone Nivar with this link!

Preparation for Cyclone Amphan
  • The chief ministers of Odisha and Bengal reviewed the evacuation procedures.
  • Power supply in the areas along the cyclone's path was cut off, except for critical locations like hospitals and fire stations, on the day of impact.
  • National Disaster Management Authority and Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force teams were positioned in Odisha and West Bengal to assist with Amphan preparations.
  • Additional units were on standby and could be airlifted to affected areas if needed.
  • Due to the ongoing pandemic, PPE and N95 masks were made mandatory for first responders.
  • The Indian Navy sent a diving team and alerted navy ships for relief operations in Kolkata.
  • Fishermen were warned to suspend fishing operations from May 18 to May 20.
  • Traffic on roads and railways was diverted or suspended.
  • People in impacted areas were advised to stay indoors.
  • Evacuation plans were prepared for low-lying areas.
  • Small boats and motorboats were not recommended.

Also, check out the article on Cyclone Fani with this link!

Effects of Amphan Cyclone
  • The Amphan Cyclone resulted in widespread devastation in West Bengal, affecting districts such as east Medinipur, south & north 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hoogli, and Kolkata.
  • Both poorly maintained Pucca constructions and kutcha dwellings suffered significant damage.
  • There was a risk of flying objects causing harm.
  • Power and communication poles were extensively uprooted, and rail/road connections were disrupted.
  • Standing crops, plantations, and orchards suffered extensive damage.
  • Palm and coconut trees were destroyed, and tall, tangled trees were uprooted.
  • The strong winds even pulled huge ships and boats from their moorings.

Download Disaster Management UPSC Notes from here.

Amphan Cyclone: Major Facts For UPSC

The relevant information regarding the Amphan cyclone as it relates to current events for the UPSC exam is provided below.

  • Amphan began as a tropical storm over the Bay of Bengal and later developed into a “Very Severe Cyclonic Storm” (VSCS) and an “Extreme Severe Cyclonic Storm” (ESCS).
  • On May 20, it made landfall somewhere between the Hathiya Islands in Bangladesh and Digha in West Bengal.
  • The cyclone’s name, Amphan, which is pronounced “UM-PUN,” was given by Thailand.
  • The areas hit by the heavy rains included East Midnapore, North and South 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hooghly, and West Midnapore.
  • After Amphan made landfall, the North Odisha Coast was worst affected by 110–120 mph winds.
  • The amphan cyclone speed wind could reach up to 230-265 mph.
  • Cyclone Amphan was tracked using the Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) near Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh).
  • Amphan is thought to be the strongest tropical storm to have hit the coast, surpassing the Phailin typhoon that struck the Bengal-Odisha coast in 2013.
  • Amphan traveled toward West Bengal and Bangladesh when it made landfall as a powerful storm at Sagar Island in West Bengal and the Island of Hatiya in Bangladesh.
  • The Disaster Management Act 2005 created the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), a specialised body.
  •  Amphan was being monitored concurrently by the National Crisis Monitoring Committee (Constituted by the Government of India to meet the exigencies of natural calamities.) Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) and Indian Meteorological Committee (IMD)
  • One of the other Indian States impacted by the Amphan cyclone was Kerala.

Check out the article on Cyclones in India 2021 with this link!

UPSC Mains Previous Year Question

Q1. Tropical cyclones are largely confined to the South China Sea, Bay of Bengal and Gulf of Mexico. Why? (UPSC 2015)

Q2. The recent cyclone on the east coast of India was called “Phailin”. How are tropical cyclones named across the world? (UPSC 2013)

Download Amphan Cyclone – Geography UPSC Notes PDF here!

Testbook provides a set of comprehensive notes for different competitive exams. Testbook is always on the top of the list because of its best quality assured products like live tests, mocks, Content pages, GK and current affairs videos, and much more. To study more topics for UPSC, download the Testbook App now!

More Articles for IAS Preparation

Amphan Cyclone - FAQs

Thailand has given the name Amphan.

It began to occur on 16 May 2020 and lasted till 21 May 2020.

Amphan, which is pronounced "Um-pun," came to the country in 2004. Amphan means sky.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a low-pressure region that formed over the south-east Bay of Bengal and the South Andaman sea on May 13, 2020 morning led to the formation of a cyclone by May 16 evening.

Yes, Cyclone Amphan had sharply outlined 10 nautical mile-wide eyes.

Approximately 0.2 million hectares of fish farms and agricultural land were damaged by Cyclone Amphan. Thousands of trees were uprooted by the storm, including a portion of the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest. Numerous freshwater sources were flooded by salinized seawater surges.

A tropical cyclone is considered a super cyclonic storm if its 3-minute mean maximum sustained wind speed is at least 120 knots.(220 km/h; 140 mph).

Amphan is regarded as a super cyclone because it is categorised as a "Very Severe Cyclonic Storm" (VSCS) and an "Extreme Severe Cyclonic Storm" (ESCS). The speed of Cyclone Amphan's reached up to 230-265 mph. It is the strongest tropical storm to have hit the coast, surpassing the Phailin typhoon.
Report An Error
Exams Tests Super Practice