Cyclone ‘Bulbul’ has intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm and is expected to make landfall between West Bengal and Bangladesh in the early hours of Sunday. It is expected to bring with it heavy rain and gusts of up to 135 kmph in the coastal areas.
The storm could damage kutcha houses, power and communication lines and some roads in the state. Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba chaired a meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee on Friday. The meeting reviewed the preparedness to deal with severe cyclone Bulbul over the Bay of Bengal and its likely impact over coastal districts of West Bengal and Odisha.
The Meteorological Department has said the cyclone over the Bay of Bengal is likely to cross West Bengal coast by early morning of November 10. Officials of West Bengal and Odisha Governments said that all necessary preparations have been made and SDRF and other teams have been positioned.
The MeT department has advised people in vulnerable areas to stay indoors. Trees are likely to be uprooted and crops damaged. During landfall, ‘Bulbul’ is “very likely” to be in the ‘severe cyclonic storm’ category with maximum sustained windspeed of 110 to 120 km per hour, gusting up to 135 kmph. The MeT office has asked West Bengal govt to suspend fishing activities and ferry boat service for Saturday and Sunday. The Sea is expected to be very rough.