Cyclone Bulbul intensified into a “very heavy cyclonic storm” on Friday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said as it sounded an orange alert in West Bengal and predicted heavy rainfall in some parts of the state.
An alert has been sounded in Odisha too, where fishermen have been advised not to venture into sea, Indian Express reported.
At 6.30 am, Cyclone Bulbul was about 690 km south of Kolkata, 420 km south-southeast of Paradip in Odisha and 650 km south-southwest of Bangladesh’s Khepupara.
“It (Bulbul) is very likely to move initially north-northwestwards for the next 12 hours and then nearly northwards till November 9 (Saturday) morning, and then re-curve northeastwards towards Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal,” IMD said in a press note.