The state government has equipped coastal districts with inflatable tents and other modern equipment to fight the possible impact of cyclone Sitrang that is likely to hit the Bengal coast, especially in the Sunderbans of South 24-Parganas, a day after Diwali.

“Earlier, we had paucity of equipment to combat cyclones. Learning from the experiences during cyclone Amphan and Yaas, we recently procured a lot of modern equipment like air-beam inflatable tents, rescue appliances and hundreds of solar lamps. The mock trial of those equipment have been undertaken in the past few days as the forecast says that the cyclone would hit three coastal districts,” said an official in the disaster management department.

The preparedness has been taken up in all seriousness in at least seven south Bengal districts.

However, the weather forecast states that South 24-Parganas is likely to face the impact of the cyclone as it is expected to make landfall in adjacent Bangladesh.

According to the forecast, at least three Bengal districts — East Midnapore, South and North 24-Parganas — would witness heavy rainfall with gusty winds from Monday.

According to senior officials in South 24-Parganas, they had procured 24 air-beam inflatable tents that would be used in need for the first time to shelter people and rescuers in remote areas.

“These tents can be inflated within two minutes. Anyone can carry these tents like a backpack. The tents can house around a dozen people at a time,” said an official in South 24-Parganas.

“During Amphan and Yaas, we rescued many people but there was no place to give them shelter during rain. This time the members of rescue teams will carry inflatable tents,” he added.

Apart from the tents, the South 24-Parganas district administration has also procured three throwing-rescue appliances, solar lamps, 10 satellite phones, six base lights, 19 binoculars and multiple others that could help rescuers during any natural disaster.

“Among many new equipment, the throwing-rescue appliance is very important to evacuate people stuck at a deserted point. The equipment can help one throw a rope with a tent-like hangar up to 300 metres. Anyone on the other point can sit on the hangar and rescuers can take him or her to their side," said an official.

The state government on Saturday reviewed the preparedness of districts, including Calcutta. A round-the-clock control room has been opened at Nabanna as well as at the district headquarters. The officials have been asked to ready the database of areas from where they need to evacuate people. The evacuation would start from Sunday once the forecast on impact of the cyclone will be clear.

Irrigation department officials said they were worried about the cyclone as it may coincides with the high tide on Monday. “If gusty winds coincide with heavy rainfall during high tide, it is possible that the Sunderbans will face severe damage,” said a senior irrigation department official.