Mamata Banerjee launches emergency helpline for flood relief operations in West Bengal

Kolkata: Taking precautionary steps in the wake of impending cyclone, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday launched an emergency helpline for flood relief operations.

Mamata, who cut short her London trip to oversee preparations for tackling the Cyclone Komen, reached Kolkata today and had a meeting at the airport itself with the officials, she tweeted.

Just landed in Kolkata. Held a meeting with officials at airport itself. We are closely monitoring the flood situation. 26000 people rescued — Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) July 30, 2015

We have launched an emergency helpline for flood relief operations. Contact 1070 for any queries or information — Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) July 30, 2015

Mamata has launched an emergency helpline number 1070 for any queries related to the flood relief operations.

The state government has sounded a high alert in all South Bengal districts and has taken necessary precautionary measures to deal with situations arising out of the cyclone.

The metropolis is also likely to be hit by the cyclone and the civic authorities have made necessary arrangements to deal with flooding of streets and low-lying areas in the city.

The MeT department has forecast “heavy to very heavy rains with isolated extremely heavy rains in Gangetic West Bengal” as a deep depression over northeast Bay of Bengal today intensified into cyclonic storm 'Komen' which is set to hit the region.

Komen, which lies centred at about 95 km south southwest of Chittagong in Bangladesh and about 300 km east southeast of Kolkata, would move northwards and cross Bangladesh Coast by this afternoon, the Met department said.

"After landfall, it will move west northwestwards and weaken gradually," it said.

"Heavy to very heavy rainfall will occur at a few places with isolated extremely heavy falls over Gangetic West Bengal today and tomorrow," the Met office said.

Wind speed reaching 65-75 kmph gusting to 85 kmph would prevail along and off West Bengal and north Odisha Coasts, it said.

"Sea conditions will be very rough over north Bay of Bengal.

"Fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea along and off West Bengal and north Odisha coasts," it said.

With PTI Inputs