Possibility of weakened cyclone striking West Bengal

An alert has been issued in six coastal districts of West Bengal and people asked to move to safer places today as there was a possibility of the weakened cyclone Laila moving towards the state.
   
Quoting the latest weather bulletin, state finance minister Asim Dasgupta said the alert has been issued as the cyclone,
which was lying centred 200 km away from Machhlipattinam in Andhra Pradesh, could move towards the West Bengal coast.

Under its influence, heavy rain has been forecast in coastal areas from tomorrow evening and fishermen warned against venturing into the sea.

The alert, sounded in six districts, including North and South 24-parganas, East Midnapore, Howrah, Hooghly, would continue and precautionary measures have been taken, Dasgupta said after a high-level meeting at Writers' Buildings here.
   
The minister said that a control room has been opened at Writers' Buildings and in six district headquarters.
   
The telephone number of the central control room at Writers' Buildings was 2214-3526.
      
Dasgupta said that relief material, including 14 lakh garments, have reached all the six districts in advance.
   
Power utilities and police have been asked to be ready in case of any eventuality.