NEW DELHI, May 18 (Xinhua) -- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) Monday warned that cyclone Amphan was likely to intensify into an extremely severe cyclonic storm.

"It is very likely to intensify further during the next six hours. It is very likely to move north-northeastwards and move fast across the northwest Bay of Bengal and cross West Bengal - Bangladesh coasts between Digha (West Bengal) and Hatiya Islands (Bangladesh) during the afternoon or evening of May 20 as a very severe cyclonic storm," reads a statement issued by IMD.

Coastal Odisha is likely to experience light to moderate rainfall at many places with heavy falls at isolated places from Monday evening.

Coastal districts of Gangetic West Bengal are also likely to experience light to moderate rainfall at many places with heavy falls at isolated places on Tuesday and Wednesday.

According to IMD, both the areas will be experiencing squally winds from Monday evening.

Authorities have advised fishermen not to venture into north Bay of Bengal along and off West Bengal-Odisha coasts until Thursday.

India's state-run broadcaster All India Radio (AIR) said 17 teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed in Odisha and West Bengal in anticipation of the cyclonic storm. Enditem

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