Storm changes direction, West Bengal witnesses sunny day

KOLKATA: With the severe cyclonic storm sparing the coastal districts of West Bengal and hitting Bangladesh, the state witnessed a sunny day on Friday.

Weather office, however, said that there was a chance of mild shower in some areas of the state in the next 24 hours, as the storm was lying about 100 km north of Bangladesh's south coast in a weaker form.

The cyclonic storm crossed the state's coastal areas, east of the Sagar Islands at 1130 pm last night and hit Bangladesh largely affecting Barishal, Khulna and other areas.

The state government yesterday took contingency measures and sanctioned Rs 15 crore to tackle any eventuality. About 50,000 people had already been shifted from coastal areas.