Current Scenario
This is the first cyclone in the Bay of Bengal for the pre-monsoon season and has been named ‘Remal’ as per the Indian Ocean region’s cyclone naming protocol. Sunanda, Director of the IMD’s Visakhapatnam Cyclone Warning Centre, informed that a low-pressure area is likely to form over the southwest Bay of Bengal around May 22. This system is expected to move north-eastwards and intensify into a depression over the central Bay of Bengal by the morning of May 24. The IMD has also forecast very heavy rainfall in the coastal districts of West Bengal, north Odisha, Mizoram, Tripura, and south Manipur on May 26-27. The region’s sea surface temperatures (SSTs) are currently above 30°C, with some areas in the central and northern Bay of Bengal reaching 32°C or more. These warm temperatures are conducive to cyclone development, providing the necessary heat and moisture.
Anticipated Impact
Cyclone Remal will dump scattered to widespread light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds (30-40 kmph) over Gangetic West Bengal this week. Additionally, isolated to scattered rainfall is on the cards for Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura. The IMD has predicted that the cyclone could reach a wind speed of 102 kilometres per hour on Sunday, 26 May. Further, light to moderate rainfall with isolated heavy downpours may batter Odisha’s Balasore district from May 25-27, West Bengal’s North and South 24 Parganas and East Medinipur, Mizoram, Tripura, and South Manipur on May 25-26, and Assam, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh on May 26.
FAQ
Q: What is the name of the cyclone affecting the Bay of Bengal?
A: The cyclone has been named ‘Remal’ following the Indian Ocean region’s cyclone naming protocol.
Q: Which regions are expected to experience heavy rainfall due to Cyclone Remal?
A: Very heavy rainfall is forecasted in the coastal districts of West Bengal, north Odisha, Mizoram, Tripura, and south Manipur on May 26-27.
Conclusion
The upcoming impacts of Cyclone Remal are expected to bring significant rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds to several regions across India. It is crucial for residents in the affected areas to stay informed about the latest updates and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety during this weather event.
