Cyclone Remal : Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata announced suspension of operations amid cyclone alert

KOLKATA : The Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port in Kolkata has suspended all cargo and container handling operations for 12 hours from Sunday evening in view of the forecast of a cyclonic storm, officials said. The operations will be suspended from 6 pm on Sunday till 6 am on Monday, they said.

The decision was taken for the safety of dock workers, they added.

Port Chairperson Mr. Rathendra Raman held a meeting on Saturday to oversee the preparedness for dealing with the impact of the possible cyclone Remal. At the meeting with port officials, he emphasised on proactive measures and inter-departmental cooperation to combat cyclone Remal.

Railway operations in the port area has also been suspended during these time, officials said.

The cyclone make a landfall on Sunday night along the adjoining coasts of West Bengal and Bangladesh with a wind speed of 110-120 km per hour, gusting to 135 kmph, the weather office said.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi chaired a meeting to review the response and preparedness for the storm, while West Bengal Governor Dr CV Ananda Bose monitored the situation closely.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged people to stay at home and assuring them of her government’s support.