Odisha, Bengal storms hit 'bulbul': heavy downpour, two dead

(PTI) Kolkata, Ta. November 9, 2019, Saturday

Extremely dangerous thunderstorms led to heavy rains in West Bengal and Odisha, and one died in Bengal and one in Odisha.

At 11 o'clock in the night, thunderstorms led to heavy rains and heavy rains in Khepapura in Bangladesh and Sagar Island in Bengal.

According to the Meteorological Department, winds of 110 to 120 km per hour were ground in several places, though the intensity of the storm was reduced. In Bengal, heavy rains had to be closed due to the wind and the trees were degraded.

The Meteorological Department predicted 80 to 90-hour winds in west and east Midnapore on Friday night. West Bengal was forced to close roads in several places due to rain and heavy winds.

One person was killed when a tree fell in one place. Heavy rains hit the coast of Bengal. Trees also fell in several places in the city. A man was killed in a famous club in the city.

In Odisha, about 4000 people were shifted to safer places from low lying areas of the coast. The state government had prepared 47 shelters for the victims of the storm. The boats were removed from Paradip, Dhamra and Sagar island and taken to a safe place.

At Visakhapatnam, three INS ships were prepared with relief materials. Also, ten diving and medical teams were told to be ready to join the relief and rescue operations. Naval aircraft were also instructed to be ready at INS Dega.

Due to the persistent rains in Kolkata since Saturday night, the low lying areas of the city were flooded and people had to move to safer places, the chief of the relief and rescue team said.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appealed to the people to remain calm wherever they were without panic. In Bengal and Odisha, fishermen were instructed not to shore due to heavy rains and hurricanes.