The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has announced that a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm, named Remal. Expected to make landfall between West Bengal and Bangladesh at midnight on Sunday, Remal poses significant threats to the region.
Remal, meaning “sand” in Arabic, is the season’s first pre-monsoon cyclone in the Bay of Bengal, named by Oman under the regional cyclone naming system. The IMD forecasts extremely heavy rainfall in West Bengal’s coastal districts and north Odisha on May 26 and 27, with northeastern India experiencing similar conditions on May 27 and 28.
Early Sunday morning, places like Sagar Islands, Namkhana, and Bakkhali in South 24 Parganas observed cloudy skies, while nearby areas experienced rain and light gusty winds. The IMD’s latest bulletin noted Remal’s northward movement at 7 km/h, situating it approximately 260 km south-southwest of Khepupara (Bangladesh), 310 km south of Mongla (Bangladesh), 240 km south-southeast of Sagar Islands (West Bengal), and 280 km south-southeast of Canning (West Bengal) as of 8:30 am. The cyclone boasts wind speeds of 110-120 km/h, gusting to 135 km/h, and is expected to bring a storm surge up to 1.5 meters, inundating low-lying coastal areas.
West Bengal’s North and South 24 Parganas districts are under a red alert for May 26 and 27 due to predicted extremely heavy rainfall. An orange alert has been issued for Kolkata, Howrah, Nadia, and Purba Medinipur districts, with expected wind speeds of 80-90 km/h, gusting to 100 km/h, alongside heavy to very heavy rainfall.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has mobilized 12 teams, with five additional teams on standby in West Bengal. Indian Army and Navy rescue and relief teams are also on high alert. The IMD warns of potential localized flooding and significant damage to vulnerable structures, power and communication lines, unpaved roads, crops, and orchards in South and North 24 Parganas districts. Residents have been advised to stay indoors and avoid coastal areas.
North Odisha’s coastal districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, and Kendrapara are expected to see heavy rainfall on May 26-27, with Mayurbhanj likely affected on May 27. Assam and Meghalaya may experience extremely heavy rainfall, and heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecasted for Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and Tripura on May 27 and 28.
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has nine disaster relief teams on standby in Haldia and Fraserganj in West Bengal, and Paradip and Gopalpur in Odisha. All necessary precautions have been taken to prevent loss of life or property at sea, with ICG remote operating stations alerting vessels about the cyclone. Ships and aircraft are on standby for search and rescue operations.
Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport will suspend flight operations for 21 hours starting Sunday noon. Ferry services at Diamond Harbour have been halted, and Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port’s cargo operations will be suspended from 6 pm Sunday to 6 am Monday. Fishermen have been advised to avoid the north Bay of Bengal until the morning of May 27.
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