Sagar, Bakkhali tourists evacuated, weekend bookings cancelled ahead of Bulbul landfall

KOLKATA: More than 250 tourists staying in different hotels and lodges on Sagar Island in the Sunderbans were evacuated on Friday afternoon as a severe cyclonic storm hurtled towards Bengal’s coast, triggering rain and strong winds. At 2.45pm, there were close to 175 tourists waiting near the Muriganaga distributary to cross over to the other side. Three vessels ferried tourists across the water, after which they boarded buses arranged by the transport department to various destinations.Similar evacuation instructions were issued in Bakkhali and Frasergunj too.
A handful of tourists who chose to stay back on Sagar Island have been told to move away from low lying areas and restrict their movement.
The evacuation process started on Friday afternoon when district officials and police personnel started announcing the threat and asked tourists to leave the area before the severe cyclonic storm Bulbul, which is expected to “graze” Sagar Island, makes landfall. Bulbul triggered rain in Kolkata and in districts along the coast.
“Around 12.30pm, the manager of our lodge announced that we would have to evacuate. We had planned to stay till Sunday,” said Behala resident Amita Patra who reached Sagar Island with her family on Thursday afternoon.
Kohinoor Das, manager of Gangasagar Tourist Lodge, said they have cancelled all bookings over the weekend.
Local MLA Bankim Hazra said, “We are shifting tourists from low lying areas. They have also been told not to move around for the next two days. District officials and volunteers have reached Ghoramara and Mousuni Islands, from where tourists are being requested to leave.”
“Around 2pm, officers from Fraserganj Coastal police station instructed us to inform tourists that their bookings will be cancelled for the weekend. The cops also instructed locals to move away from the coast and stay in cyclone shelters if required,” said Chanchal Giri, manager of the Moushuni Island Baluchari Beach Camp.
Hotel owners in Digha and Mandarmani, however, said there was no evacuation.
“The sky is overcast and it is drizzling. The tourists are enjoying outdoors. We have not received any instruction from the administration about evacuation as yet,” said Sanjeev Singh, owner of Sea Sand Hotel in Mandarmani.