Mamata Banerjee to cut short London trip to visit cyclone-hit Habra in West Bengal

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee may cut short her London trip to visit cyclone-hit Habra in North 24 Parganas district of the state.

“I am closely monitoring the situation from London. I have asked my officials to make arrangement for the return so that I can visit Habra,” Banerjee told Zee 24 Ghanta over the telephone from London.

She tweeted about her plans to return to the state on Twitter:

Speaking to senior officials in Bengal monitoring closely the impending cyclone. Exploring possibility of returning from London a day early

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) July 29, 2015

I am taking the night flight back from London because of the impending cyclone. Have spoken to Home Secretary. Taking all precautions

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) July 29, 2015

The cyclone in Habra in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal has left hundreds homeless and several others without power supply. Over 200 roofs of houses near the railway tracks in the four wards of Habra were damaged. Several electricity poles and trees were uprooted, affecting railway and road connectivity.

The Joint Typhoon Warning Centre in collaboration with the Met office has sounded an alert that the cyclone is moving slowly towards Bangladesh. They have also issued a warning that Kolkata and other parts of West Bengal will receive scattered rainfall over the next 24 hours.

Intermittent rains in districts like Murshidabad, Birbhum and Jalpaiguri has left rivers overflowing leading to flood-like situation in these districts.