Mamata Banerjee has suspended all political programmes on Friday and Saturday, switching from campaign mode to set up an improvised control room at a private hotel in Kharagpur to monitor cyclone Fani.

The chief minister, who had arrived at the hotel by road on Thursday to address three rallies in West Midnapore, cancelled them on Friday after learning of the storm’s severity.

“We are totally alert, keeping a close, minute-by-minute watch on the situation…. I will ask our people to minimise outdoor activities to the extent possible for these two days. If you must go out, watch out for electric poles and live electric wires. Switch off cable (TV) lines, disconnect (LPG) cylinders during the storm,” Mamata said.

The Trinamul chief asked all parties to put campaign on hold for the next two days.

“This is not the time for politics. I will not carry out any political activity now. I would ask everybody elseto the same, for these two days.”

Mamata said she had decided to stay back in Kharagpur, 135km from Calcutta, because of its strategic location in view of the approaching storm.

“I will ask people not to panic or heed rumours….Anybody in need, go to the nearest relief shelter. The administration is on high alert and prepared to meet your needs.”

The state government has taken precautionary measures for East and West Midnapore, Jhargram, North and South 24-Parganas, Nadia, Howrah, Hooghly and Calcutta — the zones likely to be affected directly by the cyclone.

Administrative sources said Mamata was constantly in touch with state chief secretary Malay De and Calcutta mayor Firhad Hakim.

“The Calcutta mayor is monitoring the situation from a CMC control room. All arrangements have been made for the districts, including relief material and monitoring cells. I will request people in dilapidated houses to move to safer places,” Mamata said.

All government and state-aided schools have suspended classes from Friday. The state health department has cancelled leave for doctors and other staff till May 6.