A POWERFUL cyclone, said to be the biggest cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal in about two decades, began dumping rain on coastal India and Bangladesh early yesterday as more than 2 million people were being moved to shelters before the storm hits land in the afternoon.

Cyclone Amphan slowed slightly as it reached cooler waters near the coast. But with wind speeds ranging between 160 and 170 kilometers per hour, the storm could cause extensive damage: winds and heavy rain battering flimsy houses, a storm surge that may push seawater 25 kilometers inland and the possibility of flooding in crowded cities like Kolkata.

Bangladesh is attempting to evacuate 2.2 million people to safety, officials said. Indian state West Bengal has been evacuating over 200,000 people overnight, while Odisha state has evacuated over 100,000 people, officials said.

Videos and photos showed residents heading to shelters, some carrying bags with their belongings and all wearing masks to protect against the coronavirus.

The highest level of alert was raised in Bangladesh at 6 a.m., said Junior Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Enamur Rahman.(SD-Agencies)