Cyclone Bulbul has turned into a very severe cyclonic storm, IMD reports have said. Bulbul (equiv Cat 1 hurricane) over the Bay of Bengal is likely to make landfall over West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts during 1800 - 2100 UTC on 9 November as a severe cyclonic storm, the organization said today.

It added, "In West Bengal, a storm surge of about 1-1.5 meter height above astronomical tide very likely to flood low-lying areas. In Bangladesh, storm surge expected to be about 1.5 to 2 meters."

Meanwhile, WB police has deployed personnel in vulnerable areas and a special control room has started operating regarding severe cyclone Bulbul. SDRF/NDRF teams are at work and close liaison with the civil side is being kept for relief work, an official statement says.