The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported on Sunday evening that the cyclonic storm “Remal” is presently positioned over the North Bay of Bengal, moving northward at a speed of 16 kmph. It is anticipated to reach land in the coming hours.
IMD specified, “The Severe Cyclonic Storm “Remal” (pronounced as “Re-Mal”) over the North Bay of Bengal moved nearly northwards, with a speed of 16 kmph during past 06 hours and lay centered at 1730 hrs IST of today, the 26th May, 2024, over the same region near latitude 21.15°N and longitude 89.2°E about 125 km east-southeast of Sagar Islands (West Bengal), 140 km southwest of Khepupara (Bangladesh), 135 km south-southeast of Canning (West Bengal) and 155 km south-southwest of Mongla (Bangladesh).”
“The outer cloud band lies over coastal areas of Bangladesh & West Bengal, India. The landfall process will commence in next few hours,” they added.
According to the IMD, the cyclonic storm, Remal, currently exhibits an intensity near the center of 110-120 Kmph, with gusts up to 135 Kmph.
“It is very likely to continue to move nearly northwards and cross Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal coasts between Sagar Island and Khepupara, close to southwest of Mongla (Bangladesh) by midnight of today, the 26th May 2024 as a severe cyclonic storm with maximum sustained wind speed of 110-120 kmph gusting to 135 kmph,” IMD said.
The IMD also warned of gale wind speeds reaching 90-100 kmph, gusting to 110 kmph, along and off Bangladesh, West Bengal, and adjoining North Odisha coasts, likely escalating to 110-120 kmph gusting to 135 kmph within the next 2 hours.
The impending landfall of cyclone Remal has caused substantial disruptions in air, rail, and road transportation in Kolkata and other parts of South Bengal. As a precautionary measure, Kolkata airport authorities suspended flight operations for 21 hours from Sunday noon.
The most affected regions include West Bengal, Coastal Bangladesh, Tripura, and some other parts of northeastern states. Residents in these areas, as well as neighboring states, are advised to prepare for adverse weather conditions starting from May 26.