Cyclone Bulbul, which has been said to be “very severe cyclonic storm” is due to hit the coastal West Bengal district on Saturday evening. Its impact has been causing moderate to heavy rainfall since Friday afternoon in Kolkata and south Bengal.
A decision was taken to keep flights suspended to and from the Netaji Subhas International Airport in Kolkata from 6 pm today to 6 am on Sunday. According to the latest reports, a young man died in Ballygunge as a tree fell on him.
“Cyclone Bulbul is about to pass through Bengal. Our State Administration is closely monitoring the situation 24×7. We are taking all measures to tackle any contingency. Special Control Rooms have been set up and NDRF-SDRF teams are deployed,” Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted.
Rainfall will increase as the cyclone approaches the coast. The storm will likely hit the landmass at a speed of 110-120 kilometre per hour, accompanied by gusty winds at 135 kilometre per hour which may continue for the next 12 hours. Its maximum impact is likely to be felt in places like East Midnapore, North and South 24 Parganas and Howrah.
The storm has been gaining speed since and is likely to make landfall sometimes after the evening today, Alipore weather office said.
Damage to crops, huts, power and phone lines, embankments etc is feared. Trees are likely to be uprooted as well.
The Meterological Department has issued alert asking the state to take measures to suspend fishing in coastal areas, ferry services and shifting the coastal hut dwellers to safety. Around 84,000 people from coastal areas have been moved to safety.
Government aided schools remained closed today in Kolkata, North and South 24 Parganas, Howrah, Midnapore, Jhargram and six other districts. Ferry services have been suspended in Babughat, Fairley Place, Baghbazar and Ahiritola ghats of Kolkata as well as in Howrah and Hooghly.
Buses running between Kolkata and Digha are running empty due to the rough conditions in coastal areas.
