Kolkata: Odisha and West Bengal are likely to receive heavy rainfall early next week due to a possible cyclone Sitrang in the Bay of Bengal. The cyclone is expected to move beyond the state and move towards West Bengal and Bangladesh. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has given this information on Friday (October 21).  

In view of the possible cyclonic storm, the West Bengal government has also become alert. Leave of employees related to disaster, electricity and relief work has been cancelled. Officials have said that the state government has started the process of evacuating people from low-lying areas of many districts. The IMD has said that the weather system is likely to form a low-pressure area on Saturday and a deep depression on Sunday before turning into an intense cyclonic storm on Monday. It is very likely to move north-northeastwards towards West Bengal and Bangladesh. This cyclonic storm is expected to be named Sitrang. This name has been suggested by Thailand.

State Minister Arup Biswas has said that instructions have been issued to the officials of all the districts and coastal areas to deal with any situation. He said personnel of the fire department, state disaster response force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are ready for any emergency. The West Bengal government has started the process of evacuating people from low-lying areas of Purba Medinipur, South 24 Parganas and Sunderbans, a senior official said. 

'Why do you take that man's name,' after all, on whom CM Nitish got angry?

Tribal dance festival to begin in Chhattisgarh from Nov 1, artists from 9 countries to join

Old pension scheme restored in Punjab, Mann gives Diwali gift