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Cyclone Bulbul: Bangladesh evacuates thousands ahead of storm Cyclone Bulbul: India and Bangladesh evacuate thousands from storm
(about 8 hours later)
The authorities in Bangladesh have ordered the evacuation of some 100,000 people from coastal areas as Cyclone Bulbul is set to hit the country. Authorities in India and Bangladesh have ordered the evacuation of nearly half a million people as Cyclone Bulbul makes its way over the Bay of Bengal.
The storm - which is due to make landfall on Saturday evening local time - is expected to unleash surges as high as 7ft (two metres). The storm has begun making landfall near Sagar Island in Indian West Bengal, and is expected to unleash surges as high as 7ft (two metres).
A dozen low-lying coastal districts are said to be in its path. Two people have already been killed by the cyclone, local media report.
A number of sea ports, including Mongla and Chittagong, have been placed on high alert. Along with evacuations, there have also been a number of sea ports and airports closed in the region.
Bulbul is expected to make landfall near the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest and home to the endangered Bengal tigers. Forecasters expect the storm to move north, weakening gradually.
It is set to reach wind speeds of up to 120km/h (75mph), with gusts of 150km/h, and create tidal surges in the sea and rivers when it hits the coastal regions, says the Bangladesh Meteorological Department.It is set to reach wind speeds of up to 120km/h (75mph), with gusts of 150km/h, and create tidal surges in the sea and rivers when it hits the coastal regions, says the Bangladesh Meteorological Department.
Thousands of volunteers will go door to door to alert people about the storm. Along its predicted path is the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest and home to the endangered Bengal tigers.
Cyclones have often hit Bangladesh in the past, killing thousands of people, but the country has successfully reduced the number of casualties in recent years by being better prepared. More than 60,000 people were moved away from the north-eastern coast of India, while the Bangladeshi government said it had evacuated 400,000.
Early cyclone warning systems have improved, giving authorities more time to evacuate people. Cyclone shelters have been built over recent years. But the closure of transport hubs has left thousands of other people stranded on islands off the coast, including St Martin's Island in Bangladesh.
Local authorities have ordered school buildings and mosques to be used as shelters in addition to dedicated shelters, the Associated Press news agency reports. Indian authorities said military ships and planes have been put on standby to assist with emergencies.
Bangladesh's low-lying coast is often hit by deadly cyclones, but the country has successfully reduced the number of casualties in recent years.
Early cyclone warning systems have improved, giving authorities more time to evacuate people. More Cyclone shelters have also been constructed to protect local residents.