New Delhi (NVI): The “severe” cyclone “Bulbul,” which intensified into a “very severe” cyclonic storm over west-central and adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal, has moved north-northwestwards and will reach West Bengal and Bangladesh coasts today.
Cyclonic storm “Bulbul” is a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba today chaired a meeting of National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) to review the preparedness rescue and relief operations to deal with Severe cyclonic storm which is likely to affect coastal districts of West Bengal and Odisha.
Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) today said in a statement that the cyclonic storm is very likely to move nearly northwards and likely to intensify further till early morning of Saturday, November 9.
“Thereafter it is likely to re-curve north-eastwards and cross West Bengal-Bangladesh Coast between Sagar Islands of West Bengal and Khepupara of Bangladesh, across Sunderban delta during the early hours of November 10, said IMD.
IMD issued light to moderate rainfall warning at many places with isolated heavy to very heavy falls over north coastal districts of Odisha during next 48 hours.
“Light to moderate rainfall is also expected over Andaman and Nicobar Islands during next 24 hours and West Bengal is likely to have light to moderate rainfall with heavy falls over coastal districts from November 10-11”, IMD added.
IMD informed that the cyclone that had developed in Bay of Bengal, has now intensified and is likely to cross the West Bengal coast by the early morning of November 10.
Officials of West Bengal and Odisha Governments informed that necessary preparations have been made by them and SDRF, Fire Service teams have been positioned.
Fishing operations have been suspended and people in low lying areas being evacuated to shelter homes. While 14 teams of NDRF have been positioned, additional teams are being deployed at the request of states.
Officials of Ministry of Defence intimated that teams of Coast Guard, Indian Navy are already deployed and Army and Air Force are on standby.
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