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'Stay indoor,' says CM ... cancels all rallies

Kolkata: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee cancelled all her political rallies scheduled on Friday and Saturday in the wake of cyclone 'Fani' and urged people to be safe and stay indoors.

Banerjee will supervise the situation from Kharagpur in West Midnapore where she is currently staying. Expressing her concern, she advised people to stay indoors during the next 48 hours to prevent any untoward incidents. She also urged people to remain calm in the wake of this approaching natural calamity and not get swayed away by any rumours.

"Don't stay in the mud houses as they may collapse during the cyclone, putting human lives at risk. I would also request the common people to stay indoors as much as possible in the next 48 hours. I will request those staying in dilapidated houses to move to nearby rescue centres. If one is left with no other alternative and has to go out, he/she has to be extremely cautious. Keep an eye on the trees and electric poles," Banerjee added.

She has also made an appeal to the people to switch off electronic gadgets and put off gas cylinders during the storm as preventive measures. She also directed those living in the coastal districts to seek refuge in the rescue centres that have been opened by the state government in various districts. She also reminded that the state government is absolutely alert and closely monitoring the situation.

"I am continuously monitoring the situation and necessary instructions to the administration will be issued. The Chief Secretary of the state is also keeping an eye on the situation. I have also asked Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim to put in place all the necessary arrangements including the mobilisation of the disaster management forces to combat any untoward situation. The Mayor himself is monitoring the situation from the KMC headquarter," she maintained.

"People's lives are more precious. Do not take any risk. I have also cancelled the election rallies that were supposed to be held through the next 48 hours to avoid any untoward incidents. The state government has sounded an alert to cope with the severe cyclonic storm. We are monitoring the situation from time-to-time," Banerjee added.

The state government has taken all precautionary measures in the districts including East Midnapore, West Midnapore, North 24-Parganas and South 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hooghly, Jhargram and Kolkata.

"All arrangements have been made in the districts. Relief materials have been sent to the districts and we have opened one monitoring cell at the state secretariat 24X7 to keep a watch on the situation," Banerjee stated.

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