To bolster these efforts, 16 battalions each from the state disaster management and NDRF have been deployed in the coastal areas, an official said

"Evacuation efforts have concentrated on relocating 1.10 lakh people from coastal regions to safe shelters, with a significant number hailing from South 24 Parganas district, notably Sagar Island, Sunderbans, and Kakdwip," the official informed PTI

Inhabitants of Kakdwip, Namkhana, Diamond Harbour, Raichawk were also shifted to safe shelters, he said

Talking to PTI, South 24 Parganas district magistrate Sumit Gupta, who is stationed in Kakdwip, said all measures have been taken and they are prepared to face the storm

"I am personally monitoring the situation and moving from one place to another. Police, disaster management personnel, and volunteers are ready to address any situation. All inhabitants of low-lying areas have been evacuated to safe places," he said

The state government has distributed approximately 5.40 lakh tarpaulins and ensured the availability of dry ration, powdered milk, and drinking water pouches across these districts, ensuring preparedness for the impending crisis

A centralised control unit has been established at the state secretariat to monitor the situation closely. The state administration has also opened control units at different districts like Purba Medinipur, Paschim Medinipur, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Hooghly, Howrah and Nadia