5 years ago
Kolkata:
Severe Cyclone Bulbul gusting at wind speeds of 135 km per hour made landfall near Sagar Islands in West Bengal at 9 pm on Saturday. Sagar Island is about 120 km south of Kolkata. It now lays centred about 75 km east-northeast of Sundarban National Park in Bengal, as per the India Meteorological Department.
Cyclone Bulbul is then expected to turn north eastwards and veer off towards Khulna district in Bangladesh.
Close to 1.5 lakh people have been evacuated from West Bengal's low lying coastal areas that lie in the path of Cyclone Bulbul. Fishermen have been told not to go out to the sea.
The Kolkata airport was closed till 6am today and dozens of flights were cancelled.
Here are the Live Updates of Cyclone Bulbul's impact in Bengal:
Home Minister Amit Shah assures Bengal of help
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said that the centre is closely monitoring the situation after cyclone Bulbul has hit Eastern India and assured the West Bengal government of full support.
"Closely monitoring the situation as cyclone Bulbul hits Eastern India. We are continuously in touch with central & state relief agencies. Have spoken to CM @MamataOfficial and have assured all possible help. I pray to almighty for those who are braving out this adverse weather," Shah tweeted from his official handle.
"10 teams of NDRF in West Bengal and 6 teams in Odisha have already been deployed and are assisting the state administration in the evacuation, restoration of roads and in the distribution of relief materials. Additional 18 teams of NDRF have been kept on standby," he added.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said that the centre is closely monitoring the situation after cyclone Bulbul has hit Eastern India and assured the West Bengal government of full support.
"Closely monitoring the situation as cyclone Bulbul hits Eastern India. We are continuously in touch with central & state relief agencies. Have spoken to CM @MamataOfficial and have assured all possible help. I pray to almighty for those who are braving out this adverse weather," Shah tweeted from his official handle.
"10 teams of NDRF in West Bengal and 6 teams in Odisha have already been deployed and are assisting the state administration in the evacuation, restoration of roads and in the distribution of relief materials. Additional 18 teams of NDRF have been kept on standby," he added.
Mamata Banerjee to carry out aerial survey in Cyclone Bulbul-affected areas tomorrow
Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that she will conduct an aerial survey in affected areas around Namkhana and Bakkhali to take stock of the situation.
Taking to Twitter, she said, "Due to the severe cyclonic storm Bulbul, I have decided to postpone my North Bengal visit in the coming week. Instead, tomorrow I would take an aerial survey of the affected areas around Namkhana and Bakkhali."
The West Bengal Chief Minister would also meet the local officials at Kakdwip and will hold a discussion on rehabilitation measures of the cyclone-affected people.
"Later, I would take a meeting at Kakdwip with the administration to review the relief and rehabilitation measures of the cyclone-affected people. I am also planning to visit the cyclone-affected areas of Basirhat of North 24-Parganas on 13 November 2019," she said in another tweet.
Apart from these areas, the damage was also done to South 24 Parganas region due to the speedy winds by the Cyclonic storm Bulbul. Many trees were uprooted and roads were blocked forcing the administration to carry out road clearance work.
Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that she will conduct an aerial survey in affected areas around Namkhana and Bakkhali to take stock of the situation.
Taking to Twitter, she said, "Due to the severe cyclonic storm Bulbul, I have decided to postpone my North Bengal visit in the coming week. Instead, tomorrow I would take an aerial survey of the affected areas around Namkhana and Bakkhali."
The West Bengal Chief Minister would also meet the local officials at Kakdwip and will hold a discussion on rehabilitation measures of the cyclone-affected people.
"Later, I would take a meeting at Kakdwip with the administration to review the relief and rehabilitation measures of the cyclone-affected people. I am also planning to visit the cyclone-affected areas of Basirhat of North 24-Parganas on 13 November 2019," she said in another tweet.
Apart from these areas, the damage was also done to South 24 Parganas region due to the speedy winds by the Cyclonic storm Bulbul. Many trees were uprooted and roads were blocked forcing the administration to carry out road clearance work.
In India, nearly 120,000 people who were evacuated started to return home as the cyclone weakened, authorities said.
"The storm has left a trail of destruction as it's crossed the coastline of West Bengal," the state's Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim said.
"Trees were uprooted, thatched and corrugated roofs of many houses were blown away."
"The storm has left a trail of destruction as it's crossed the coastline of West Bengal," the state's Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim said.
"Trees were uprooted, thatched and corrugated roofs of many houses were blown away."
Over 2 million people relocated in Bangladesh:
Some 2.1 million people across Bangladesh were relocated to cyclone shelters.
Troops were sent to coastal districts while tens of thousands of volunteers went door-to-door and used loudspeakers to urge people to evacuate their villages.
"We spent the night with another 400 people," said Ambia Begum, who arrived at a shelter in the port town of Mongla late Saturday along with her family.
"I am worried about my cattle and the straw roof of my house. I could not bring them here. Allah knows what is happening there," the 30-year-old mother of three told AFP.
Around 1,500 tourists were stranded on St. Martin's island off southeastern Bangladesh after boat services were cancelled.
Some 2.1 million people across Bangladesh were relocated to cyclone shelters.
Troops were sent to coastal districts while tens of thousands of volunteers went door-to-door and used loudspeakers to urge people to evacuate their villages.
"We spent the night with another 400 people," said Ambia Begum, who arrived at a shelter in the port town of Mongla late Saturday along with her family.
"I am worried about my cattle and the straw roof of my house. I could not bring them here. Allah knows what is happening there," the 30-year-old mother of three told AFP.
Around 1,500 tourists were stranded on St. Martin's island off southeastern Bangladesh after boat services were cancelled.
Trees uprooted in Bengal due to Cyclone Bulbul
Several trees were uprooted and roads were blocked forcing the administration to carry out road clearance work in south 24 parganas due to Cyclone Bulbul.
In the morning today, several NDRF officials with the chain saw machines were seen cutting the fallen trees and making efforts to clean up the blocked roads.
Several trees were uprooted and roads were blocked forcing the administration to carry out road clearance work in south 24 parganas due to Cyclone Bulbul.
In the morning today, several NDRF officials with the chain saw machines were seen cutting the fallen trees and making efforts to clean up the blocked roads.
2 dead in Odisha due to Cyclone Bulbul
"Power line restoration is going on on a war footing basis in Odisha. More than 70 per cent connections are already restored and the remaining will be restored by today (Sunday) evening."
The Ministry said that almost all the roads have been cleared of the fallen trees and the traffic flow was normal.
There is a report of extensive damage to crops in Odisha, said the Ministry, adding house and crop damage assessment was going on.
A total of 20 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force, six National Disaster Response Force and 226 Fire Services Teams were engaged in the operation and they were helping in the faster restoration of road and power connections, said the Ministry.
Two deaths were reported from Odisha's Kendrapara district -- one while drowning and the other in a wall collapse case.
Odisha's four districts severely affected due to the impact of the cyclone that uprooted several trees and damaged roads as well as communication and power services, the Ministry said.
"Power line restoration is going on on a war footing basis in Odisha. More than 70 per cent connections are already restored and the remaining will be restored by today (Sunday) evening."
The Ministry said that almost all the roads have been cleared of the fallen trees and the traffic flow was normal.
There is a report of extensive damage to crops in Odisha, said the Ministry, adding house and crop damage assessment was going on.
A total of 20 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force, six National Disaster Response Force and 226 Fire Services Teams were engaged in the operation and they were helping in the faster restoration of road and power connections, said the Ministry.
A total of 7,815 houses damaged and 870 trees uprooted after the landfall of the cyclone in West Bengal, said the Home Ministry, adding 950 phone towers were also affected causing power disruption in the state.
"The restoration work of power and telecommunication services has started in West Bengal where one ICDS centre based in Paschim Medinipur district also got damaged."
Mamata Banerjee announced that her administration rescued 1,64,315 persons from the low lying areas in the coastal districts and at least 75 passengers of a cruise ship in the Bay of Bengal while severe cyclone Bulbul raged on Saturday.
She said there was no report of any human casualty in the coastal districts. Ms Banerjee said a major part of the cyclone had crossed the state and appealed to the people not to venture outdoors till the situation stabilises completely.
She said there was no report of any human casualty in the coastal districts. Ms Banerjee said a major part of the cyclone had crossed the state and appealed to the people not to venture outdoors till the situation stabilises completely.
Flight operations resume at Kolkata airport:
The Airports Authority of India had closed down Kolkata airport for 12 hours, starting 6 pm on Saturday to 6am today.
The Airports Authority of India had closed down Kolkata airport for 12 hours, starting 6 pm on Saturday to 6am today.
PM Modi tweeted he spoke to Mamata Banerjee on Cyclone Bulbul:
"Reviewed the situation in the wake of cyclone conditions and heavy rain in parts of Eastern India. Spoke to WB CM @MamataOfficial regarding the situation arising due to Cyclone Bulbul. Assured all possible assistance from the Centre. I pray for everyone's safety and well-being," Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted.
The Prime Minister also reviewed the situation elsewhere in eastern India, where the cyclone conditions and heavy rains have caused massive damage of crop and property.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's efforts to mitigate the impact of Cyclone Bulbul were commended by the state Governor this morning.
@MamataOfficial.#BulBulCyclone. Adverse impact has been contained-thanks to Hon'ble CM leading from the front and there being synergy between State and Central agencies. Appeal to NGOs to particularly come forward and render rehabilitation assistance to the needy.
- Jagdeep Dhankhar (@jdhankhar1) November 10, 2019
People take shelter from Cyclone Bulbul:
About 200 people have taken shelter at Sagar Pilot Station of Kolkata Port Trust. Villagers belonging to storm stricken villages were served food by the Commander, pilots and staff.
2 dead in Bengal due to Cyclone Bulbul
2 people have died for Cyclone Bulbul in Bengal. A woman died after a tree fell on her at Bashirhat in north 24 parganas. Another man was killed in east Midnapore's Nandigram.
2 people have died for Cyclone Bulbul in Bengal. A woman died after a tree fell on her at Bashirhat in north 24 parganas. Another man was killed in east Midnapore's Nandigram.
Cyclone Bulbul: Ferry services at Bichali Ghat in Kolkata suspended
Ferry services on Sunday at Bichali Ghat in Kolkata have been suspended due to stormy weather set off by the cyclone Bulbul.
The storm has weakened from ''very severe'' to ''severe'' and crossed the coast of West Bengal with a maximum wind speed of 110-120 km per hour.
Ferry services on Sunday at Bichali Ghat in Kolkata have been suspended due to stormy weather set off by the cyclone Bulbul.
The storm has weakened from ''very severe'' to ''severe'' and crossed the coast of West Bengal with a maximum wind speed of 110-120 km per hour.
The IMD has further predicted light to moderate rainfall with isolated heavy spells of rainfall likely to continue over the south and north 24 Parganas and Nadiya districts in West Bengal during the next three hours.
"Squally wind speed 35-45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph is likely to prevail over northwest Bay of Bengal off West Bengal coast during the next six hours," said IMD in its advisory.
"Squally wind speed 35-45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph is likely to prevail over northwest Bay of Bengal off West Bengal coast during the next six hours," said IMD in its advisory.
Cyclone Bulbul moves towards Bangladesh:
Cyclonic storm Bulbul lay centred about 75 km east-northeast of Sundarban National Park in West Bengal, as per the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The cyclone is likely to weaken into a deep depression over coastal Bangladesh and adjoining south and north 24 Parganas districts of West Bengal during next six hours, IMD said in a tweet.
