School closures: The threat of cyclone Dana is looming in Odisha and West Bengal. The low pressure area over the Bay of Bengal may transform into a severe cyclonic storm by October 23 and may hit the coasts of Odisha and West Bengal on October 24. Heavy rain is possible in the area until Friday. The West Bengal government has declared a four-day holiday in nine districts of South Bengal, including Kolkata, due to security concerns. All public schools will be closed for five days from Sunday, October 23 to 27.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that government schools in nine districts of South Bengal, including Kolkata, will remain closed from October 23 to 26 in view of cyclone Dana. He said the government had stockpiled disaster relief supplies and prepared hurricane shelters in coastal areas.
Addressing a press conference at the state secretariat, CM Mamata Banerjee said that the principal secretaries of various departments have been delegated to take charge of North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hooghly, Bankura, East Midnapore, West Midnapur and Jhargram districts. They will monitor developments closely. Ministers from these regions will not be out until the hurricane is over. He said centers under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) will also remain closed as a precautionary measure.
Mamata Banerjee said, “ICDS centers will remain closed during this period. Tourism activities in coastal cities have been stopped. Fishermen traveling to the Bay of Bengal have been asked to return.”
Let us tell you that the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday predicted that the coastal wind speed will reach 60 kilometers per hour (kmph) from the night of October 24 to the morning of October 25 and the wind speed will reach 100-110 kilometer. There is the possibility of increasing it up to 120 kilometers per hour.
