Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said that the centre is closely monitoring the situation after cyclone Bulbul has hit Eastern India and assured the West Bengal government of full support.
"Closely monitoring the situation as cyclone Bulbul hits Eastern India. We are continuously in touch with central & state relief agencies. Have spoken to CM @MamataOfficial and have assured all possible help. I pray to almighty for those who are braving out this adverse weather," Shah tweeted from his official handle.
"10 teams of NDRF in West Bengal and 6 teams in Odisha have already been deployed and are assisting the state administration in the evacuation, restoration of roads and in the distribution of relief materials. Additional 18 teams of NDRF have been kept on standby," he added.
The severe cyclonic storm Bulbul has wreaked havoc in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas region on Sunday. Due to the speedy winds, several trees were uprooted and roads were blocked forcing the administration to carry out road clearance work.
In the morning today, several NDRF officials with the chain saw machines were seen cutting the fallen trees and making efforts to clean up the blocked roads.
Yesterday, after Bulbul hit Odisha, a couple of roads were also blocked in Kendrapada causing traffic snarls. The fallen trees were later cleared by NDRF officials.
The very severe cyclonic storm Bulbul has crossed West Bengal Coast close to Sunderban Dhanchi forest from 8:30 pm to 11:30 pm on Saturday.
"Presently, this cyclonic storm Bulbul lies off the coast of Bangladesh and adjoining areas. It is now away from West Bengal and losing its intensity. We are expecting that the cyclonic storm will become a depression within the next 12 hours. A wind warning is there so fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea in the next 24 hours," GC Das, Alipore IMD Director told .
( With inputs from ANI )