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| Cyclone Bulbul: India and Bangladesh evacuate thousands from storm | Cyclone Bulbul: India and Bangladesh evacuate thousands from storm |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| 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. | 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 has begun making landfall near Sagar Island in Indian West Bengal, and 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). |
| Two people have already been killed by the cyclone, local media report. | Two people have already been killed by the cyclone, local media report. |
| Along with evacuations, there have also been a number of sea ports and airports closed in the region. | Along with evacuations, there have also been a number of sea ports and airports closed in the region. |
| Forecasters expect the storm to move north and weaken 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. |
| Along its predicted path is the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest and home to the endangered Bengal tigers. | Along its predicted path is the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest and home to the endangered Bengal tigers. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Indian authorities said military ships and planes have been put on standby to assist with emergencies. | 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. | 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. | Early cyclone warning systems have improved, giving authorities more time to evacuate people. More Cyclone shelters have also been constructed to protect local residents. |