This archive report was first published on 21 May 2020.
Cyclone Amphan Devastates India and Bangladesh ¶
Published on May 21, 2020
More than 80 people were killed by Cyclone Amphan, which slammed into India and Bangladesh on Wednesday, leaving a trail of destruction and flooding in its wake.
The cyclone, which made landfall on Wednesday, brought with it powerful winds and torrential rain, causing widespread damage and loss of life.
Many of the dead were crushed by falling trees, electrocuted by downed wires, or buried inside collapsing buildings.
The worst damage was reported in the Indian state of West Bengal, where thousands of homes were destroyed and low-lying areas were inundated with water.
West Bengal's Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, described the situation as 'warlike' and warned that the death toll could surpass the number of Covid-19 cases in the region.
Belinda Wright, the executive director of the Wildlife Protection Society of India, said that the cyclone had caused serious damage to the ecosystem of the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest.
Rescue operations were intensified on Thursday across the affected areas, with many villagers still trapped in their homes or shelters.
As the region struggles to come to terms with the devastation, concerns are growing about the spread of Covid-19 in the crowded shelters and evacuation centers.
