IMD: Odisha, West Bengal to receive heavy rainfall due to "Bulbul"

India Meteorological Department (IMD) has informed about several places in Odisha and West Bengal are likely to receive heavy rainfall on November 8 and 9, due to the influence of Cyclonic Storm ''Bulbul''. IMD has said that the cyclonic storm Bulbul had intensified into a “very severe cyclonic storm” over the Bay of Bengal.

“It (Bulbul) is very likely to intensify further till early morning of 9th November,” the weather department said in its All India Weather Summary and Forecast Bulletin. “It is very likely to move nearly northwards till 9th November morning. Thereafter, it is very likely to re-curve northeastwards and cross West Bengal-Bangladesh Coast between Sagar Islands (West Bengal) and Khepupara (Bangladesh), across Sunderban delta during the early hours of 10th November as a severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 110-120 kmph gusting to 135 kmph,” added the bulletin.

READ | Cyclone 'Bulbul' May Turn 'very Severe', Likely To Move Towards WB

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has taken to Twitter to raise "orange alert" in the wake of the cyclone. 

"Under its influence, light to moderate rainfall at many places with isolated heavy to very heavy falls very likely over north coastal districts of Odisha on Friday and Saturday and light to moderate rainfall at most places with extremely heavy falls at isolated places very likely over coastal districts of West Bengal on November 9, 2019," the IMD stated in its bulletin.

READ | Odisha: Cyclone Bulbul Might Not Make Landfall, Light Rains Expected

Fishermen asked to stay away from sea until further orders

Considering the severity of the cyclone, authorities have flagged a cyclone warning to the fishermen and have asked them not to venture into the sea for fishing until further orders.

State governments of Odisha and West Bengal have taken measures to curb damage. At least 35 National Disaster Response Force teams were sent to the two states to tackle the cyclone. The central government has asked the two states to take all measures necessary to ensure minimum casualty and destruction. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Principal Secretary PK Mishra promised all the required assistance in a meeting that was attended through video conferencing by top officials of Odisha, West Bengal and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

READ | Cyclone Bulbul To Miss Andaman And Nicobar Islands, Says NDRF

READ | Cyclone Bulbul: High-level Meeting Held To Review Preparedness

(With agency inputs)