West Bengal fully prepared to deal with cyclone 'Komen': Mamata Banerjee

Kolkata, Jul 30: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said her government was fully geared up to face any eventuality arising out of cyclone 'Komen'.

Banerjee, who cut short her London visit and returned here following the cyclone threat, expressed concern over the situation, saying that many parts of the state were waterlogged and crops damaged.

She said that high tides and storms lashing the state since yesterday compounded the situation but the administration was on a alert.

Banerjee, who was closeted with Minister for Urban Development Firhad Hakim and senior officials shortly after her arrival, said around 26,000 people were sheltered in relief camps in various parts of south Bengal.

The Chief Minister was slated to return to the city on July 31. She said a Control Room with 1070 helpline number will work round-the-clock.

Meanwhile, Governor K N Tripathi has expressed concern over the damage done by the cyclonic storm in some districts of the state.

He directed Commissioner of Presidency Division besides District Magistrates of Nadia and North 24 Parganas to take immediate steps for providing relief and rehabilitation to the affected and send a report, a Raj Bhavan statement said.

High velocity storms have flattened hundreds of houses, rendered a large number of people homeless and injured at least 12 people in three districts of the state since yesterday.

PTI