Cyclone Amphan leaves behind a trail of destruction in West Bengal

Cyclone Amphan (pronounced UM-PUN) wreaked havoc in coastal West Bengal on Wednesday, claiming at least 10 lives. The super cyclonic storm crossed the Bengal coast near Digha at around 2.30 pm with wind speeds of 155-165 kmph, gusting to 285 kmph. The following photographs are from Ramnagar and Shankarpur in Midnapore district. (Express Photo: Santanu Chowdhury)

The cyclone came at a time when people in the state were struggling with the fallout of the coronavirus outbreak and nationwide lockdown. (Express Photo: Santanu Chowdhury)

In West Bengal, the districts of East Midnapore, South 24-Parganas and North 24-Parganas were the worst affected. (Express Photo: Santanu Chowdhury)

The cyclone left behind a trail of destruction; giant waves came crashing down on roads along beach, trees taller than buildings fell at regular intervals, electric poles were damaged and mud houses collapsed. (Express Photo: Santanu Chowdhury)

A number of embankments were breached in coastal areas as well, leading to floods in low lying areas. (Express Photo: Santanu Chowdhury)

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said Amphan would weaken into a deep depression, and subsequently into a depression by Thursday afternoon. (Express Photo: Santanu Chowdhury)

Coastal Bengal is expected to receive rains through Thursday, until Friday. The extent of the damage will be ascertained only after the storm has passed, officials told The Indian Express. (Express Photo: Santanu Chowdhury)

Amphan is the second super cyclone to form in the North Indian Ocean (NIO) region. (Express Photo: Santanu Chowdhury)

In Odisha, where Cyclone Amphan left its mark, authorities were assessing the damage. An official told The Indian Express on Wednesday there were turbulent conditions for about seven hours, but the damage "has not been too bad”. In picture: Uprooted trees in Bengal's Shankarpur. (Express Photo: Santanu Chowdhury)

Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said "atleast 10 to 12 people have died". She added, "We are shocked. It will take three to four days to asses the damage.” (Express Photo: Santanu Chowdhury)

Teams of NDRF personnel are conducting relief and rescue operations in the affected regions. The Army, Navy, IAF and Coast Guard were also on standby to aid efforts. (Express Photo: Santanu Chowdhury)