Cyclone Bulbul: Eight fishermen stranded on island rescued by ODRAF

Eight fishermen were rescued by the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) team and local fishermen on Saturday after they were left stranded on an island after their boat capsized.

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According to the Special Relief Commissioner, Odisha, the boat belonging to the fishermen capsized under the impact of the cyclone 'Bulbul', which left them stranded on Kalibhanja Diha island in Bhadrak district today morning. Meanwhile, due to the cyclone, the state witnessed heavy rains and strong winds, disrupting normal lives of the citizens in the area.

According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), the Very Severe Cyclonic Storm 'Bulbul' over the northwest Bay of Bengal was likely to weaken gradually into a Severe Cyclonic Storm and move northeastwards and cross West Bengal and Bangladesh on Sunday. Rescue operations are underway in the district. 

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Heavy rains claim one life in Odisha

Heavy rains and high-velocity winds triggered by the very severe cyclonic storm 'Bulbul' lashed coastal Odisha on Saturday claiming one life, uprooting trees and snapping road links. One person died in a wall collapse in Kendrapara district of coastal Odisha, where some areas were pounded by heavy to very heavy rains, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) P K Jena said. Most places on the coast experienced light to moderate rainfall, he said adding paddy and other crops in 35 to 40% area over six lakh hectare agriculture land have been damaged due to the downpour triggered by the cyclone. 

The cyclonic winds uprooted a large number of trees and electric poles, besides causing extensive damage to thatched structures and standing crops before veering away towards West Bengal, he said. The landfall of the cyclone is expected between the Sagar Islands of West Bengal and Khepupara in Bangladesh on Saturday night and move northwestwards into the neighbouring country over the Sundarbans delta, the Met department said.

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(with agencies input)