Bulbul Cyclone Intensifies, To Make Landfall Between Bengal, Bangladesh: 10 Points

Cyclone Bulbul intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm today triggering heavy rain in parts of Bengal and Odisha. Bulbul cyclone is likely to make a landfall between Bengal and Bangladesh in the early hours of Sunday, bringing heavy rain and gusts of up to 135 kmph in the coastal areas, the weather department said. The storm might cause damage to kutcha houses, power and communication lines and roads in parts of the state, Regional Met Director GK Das was quoted as saying by news agency PTI, advising people in vulnerable areas to stay indoors. It might also uproot trees, ruin crops and cause embankment erosion, he warned. Bulbul Cyclone is expected to cross Bengal and Bangladesh coast across Sundarbans Delta around midnight on November 9. Odisha government on Thursday issued a revised advisory on Cyclone Bulbul asking the districts to brace up for possible flood-like situation and water-logging. The weather department said sea condition will be rough to very rough along and off Odisha and  Bengal coasts from Friday onwards and will become very high on Saturday and Sunday. District officials have been asked to keep a tab on the situation and prepare for any contingency.

Bulbul Cyclone: Rain Pounds Bengal, Odisha

1. During landfall, Bulbul cyclone is "very likely" to be in the ''severe cyclonic storm'' category with maximum sustained wind speed of 110 to 120 km per hour, gusting up to 135 kmph, Regional Met Director GK Das said.
2. The weather department has said several places over Odisha, Bengal will receive heavy rainfall today and tomorrow due to the influence of Cyclone Bulbul.
3. The weatherman said the severe cyclonic storm, which lay centred 600 km south of Kolkata on Friday morning, was expected to intensify further by Saturday and move northwards.
4. The IMD has issued ''yellow warning'' (be aware) in Puri, Kendrapara Jagatsinghpur and Bhadrak districts over the next 24 hours.
5. The fishing operation has been totally suspended over Odisha- Bengal coasts. Cyclone warning has been issued and fishermen have been warned against venturing into the sea for fishing till further orders. The fishermen out at sea are advised to return to the coast.
6. The governments of the two states are taking measures to ensure that damage from the storm is contained, even as the Centre assured them of all assistance.
7. Taking note of the severity of the storm and possibility of damage to property and lives, the Centre has asked the Bengal and Odisha government to take all steps to deal with cyclone Bulbul and ensure there is minimum casualty and damage.
8. The weather department has forecast sustained wind speed of 120 to 130 km per hour with gusts of up to 140 kmph when the cyclone will be at its ''very severe'' form on Friday and then lessen to a ''severe'' cyclonic storm on November 9.
9. Under its impact, heavy to very heavy rainfall with extremely heavy rain at one or two places is likely to occur in the coastal districts of North and South 24 Parganas on November 9 and 10, the Met office said. It will also bring heavy rain in Kolkata East and West Midnapore, Howrah, Hooghly and Nadia district during the two days.
10. In view of Bulbul Cyclone, all schools and anganwadi centres will remain closed on Friday and Saturday in Puri, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara districts, an official said in the Odisha capital.

(With Inputs From ANI, PTI)