: Even as Cyclone Hudhud made a landfall near Vishakahapatnam in Andhra Pradesh on Sunday morning, it did not wreak havoc in West Bengal.
As per the predictions of the Regional Meteorological Centre, Alipore, heavy rainfall was recorded in Purba Medinipur, Paschim Medinipur, South 24 Parganas and North 24 Parganas districts of Bengal. Additionally, Sundarbans received heavy rainfall due to the cyclone.
Stating that the Bengal government was well equipped to handle any crisis situation, State Minister for Disaster Management Javed Khan said the district magistrates were “supervising the situations in their respective districts.”
Addressing media persons, director of the Regional Meteorological Centre, Alipore, G.C. Debnath said the intensity of the cyclone would decrease and eventually turn into a deep depression by Sunday midnight.
“The cyclonic storm will transform into a depression over south Bengal and will cause rainfall till tomorrow [Monday]. Chances of heavy rainfall will eventually decrease. Kolkata and its adjoining areas will receive moderate rainfall till the next 48 hours. The wind speed is likely to hover around 40-50 kmph,” Mr. Debnath said.
Later in the day, the South Eastern Railway issued a press release stating that services would not be resumed until damage caused to railway tracks and rail property was restored.
As many as 40 trains between Bhubaneshwar and Vishakahapatnam were cancelled. Consequently, the South Eastern Railway has to regulate more trains by diverting/ rescheduling/ cancelling trains or running them in short durations.
