Remal Cyclone: In the coastal regions of West Bengal, a red alert has been issued in anticipation of the arrival of severe cyclonic storm Remal on Sunday. The storm is expected to affect Odisha as well as deliver very heavy rains and severe gusts.
In short
- Cyclone Remal is predicted to landfall in Bengal on Sunday.
- Heavy rain signals were issued in Bengal’s South and North 24 Parganas districts
- Odisha’s four coastal districts are also on alert for cyclones.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that a low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal has strengthened into a powerful cyclonic storm named Remal. On Sunday, May 26, the storm is predicted to make landfall on the coastlines of West Bengal and Bangladesh, bringing with it strong winds and a lot of rain.
Cyclone Remal, according to the IMD, is expected to shift from north to east and intensify into a powerful cyclonic storm by Saturday morning over the east-central Bay of Bengal. After that, it will likely get stronger again and move closer to the shores of West Bengal and Bangladesh. By Saturday night, it might even make landfall between Sagar Island in India and Khepupara in Bangladesh.
According to the IMD’s estimate, wind gusts at landfall might reach up to 135 kmph, with speeds between 110 and 120 kmph. On May 26–27, very heavy rainfall is predicted in the coastal districts of West Bengal and north Odisha, and on May 27–28, there may be exceptionally high precipitation in several areas of northeast India.
STRONG RAIN WARNING IN BENGAL
Low-lying coastal parts of Bangladesh and West Bengal are expected to be submerged by a storm surge as high as 1.5 meters when it makes landfall. Fishermen are advised by the meteorological office to avoid the north Bay of Bengal till the early hours of May 27.
For the coastal districts of South and North 24 Parganas in West Bengal, the IMD issued a red alert on May 26 and 27, informing them of the possibility of severe to very heavy rain and wind gusts of up to 100 kmph. For the districts of Kolkata, Howrah, Nadia, and Purba Medinipur, an orange alert has been issued due to the possibility of heavy rain and wind gusts reaching 100 kmph.
Heavy rain is also anticipated in Purba Medinipur on May 25, which coincides with elections in the Tamluk and Kanti Lok Sabha constituencies. The rest of South Bengal can expect wind speeds of 40-50 kmph with gusts up to 60 kmph, as well as heavy rain.
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The IMD has issued a warning about potential localized floods and significant damage to susceptible structures, electricity and communication lines, roads, crops, and orchards in the affected areas. Residents have been warned to stay indoors and evacuate dangerous structures.
Odisha Prepares for Cyclone Impact
Authorities in Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore, and Mayurbhanj, four coastal districts in Odisha, have been notified by the government to take precautions ahead of the storm’s arrival. According to the weather bureau, 40–50 kmph winds and heavy to extremely heavy rain are predicted for these districts.
The first pre-monsoon cyclone of the season in the Bay of Bengal is named Remal. Under the local naming convention for cyclones in the northern Indian Ocean, Oman supplied the name.