Dhaka: Very severe cyclonic storm to hit West Bengal-Bangladesh coast by midnight at the speed of 180 to 200km per hour.

The storm was currently lying 500 kms off Kolkata and racing fast towards the state and gathering momentum.The cyclone may affect the five coastal districts including South and North 24 Parganas and East Midnapur besides Kolkata city. 

The West Bengal Chief Secretary P R Ray said that the civic authorities have set up a crisis management group.Alert warning to Sagar Island is already been issued.Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea for fishing and to stay alert.

Thousands of people were evacuated to safety overnight in southern coastline of Bangladesh as the cyclone SIDR approached the country's south and southwestern coast with intensified vigour.

"The cyclone gained extra intensity overnight and we fear the low lying coastal areas now will be whipped up with 15 to 20 feet surges above the normal astronomical tides contrary to our earlier prediction of 12 to 15 feet surges" a met offical said.

"The cyclone was fuming 555 kilometre southwest of Chittagong, 690 kilometre south-south west of Cox's Bazar port and 485 km south of Mongla port in gusts or squalls at 6 AM. It was steadily approaching to the south and southwestern coast packing winds of 200 to 220 kmph compared to 190 to 210 kmph at midnight yesterday",he added.

"It is likely to hit the southwestern coastline of Mongla, Barisal and Khulna by this evening," the meteorologist said .

"The concerned deputy commissioners have been asked to take necessary steps, including evacuation in line with the standing orders for such situation," Joint Secretary of Disaster Management Ministry Mohsina Ferdowsi said.

She said, "a central control room in Dhaka was in constant touch with local administrations in 16 coastal districts and the concerned agencies to monitor the situation".

 

Source : PTI