UN chief saddened by losses caused by Cyclone Amphan

A commuter walks beside uprooted trees after severe cyclonic storm Amphan hit Kolkata, India on May 21, 2020.Chief Minister of India's eastern state of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee said on Thursday that 72 people were killed in the state due to the severe cyclonic storm Amphan. The cyclonic storm triggering gusty winds up to 190 kilometers per hour and heave rainfall battered West Bengal and coastal Odisha Wednesday evening, flattening makeshift houses and uprooting electric poles and trees. (Str/Xinhua)

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed solidarity with the people of India and Bangladesh as they face the impact of a devastating cyclone while also responding to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

UNITED NATIONS, May 23 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is saddened by the loss of life and the destruction as a result of Cyclone Amphan in India and Bangladesh, his spokesman said Saturday.

Guterres extended his deep condolences to those who have lost their loved ones and wished those injured and affected by the disaster a speedy recovery, said Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman, in a statement.

Photo taken on May 20, 2020 shows the impact of Cyclone Amphan in the Bagerhat district, Bangladesh.Bangladesh on Wednesday raised its storm danger signal to the highest level of 10, as "very severe" Cyclone Amphan formed in the Bay of Bengal was heading towards its coastlines. (Str/Xinhua)

The secretary-general commended the governments, first responders and communities for their preemptive work to make people safe ahead of the storm and to meet their immediate needs afterward. The United Nations stands ready to support these efforts, said the statement.

Guterres expressed solidarity with the people of India and Bangladesh as they face the impact of a devastating cyclone while also responding to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, it said. ■