Cyclone Bulbul set to hit Bengal today
34 NDRF teams in WB & Odisha, Navy on alert
Cyclone “Bulbul” has further intensified its shape and power over the Bay of Bengal, turning into a “Very Severe Cyclonic Storm”. It is expected to hit West Bengal late on Saturday before moving towards Bangladesh. Sundarbans delta in South 24 Parganas is feared to be the worstaffected followed by North 24 Parganas, West Midnapore, East Midnapore, Jhargram, Howrah and Kolkata. The NDRF has stationed a total of 34 teams in West Bengal and Odisha in view of the approaching cyclone, a senior official said Friday.
The Mamata Banerjee government has declared closure of the primary schools in the seven districts. The Indian Navy has deployed its warships carrying disaster relief materials in the Bay of Bengal to tackle Cyclone Bulbul. The Indian Coast Guard, the National Disaster Response Force and disaster management group of the state government have also mobilised its assets.
At 9 pm on Friday, the India Meteorological Department stated that the cyclone moved northwards at 17 km per hour speed in the past six hours before it lay centred over northwest and adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal about 220 km south-southeast of Paradip in Odisha, 350 km south-southwest of
Sagar Islands in West Bengal and 470 km southsouthwest of Khepupara in Bangladesh.
The cyclone, which is very likely to intensify slightly till Saturday early morning, is all set to move nearly northwards for some more time and recurve northeastwards thereafter. It is very likely to cross West BengalBangladesh coasts between Sagar Islands and Khepupara across Sunderban delta by November 9 midnight as a ‘Severe Cyclonic Storm’ with maximum sustained wind speed of 110-120
kmph gusting to 135 kmph. Naval Officer-incharge (West Bengal) Commodore Suprobho K De said, “Four-five ships loaded with relief materials have been deployed near Vizag and in the sea. Some of them are Landing Ship Large while others are off shore patrol vessels.”
The Navy has kept a fivemember team of divers, who have been brought in INS Netaji Subhas in Hastings from Eastern Naval Command Headquarters in Vizag, ready. Ten more teams are on standy at Vizag.