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. 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. Extreme rainfall is occurring in South 24 Parganas, Midnapur, East Bardhaman and Birbhum. South and North 24 Parganas are likely to experience wind speeds of 100 to 110 km per hour, and several trees are uprooted in South 24 Parganas. Kolkata Airport is completely closed from noon 26th May. Several trains on the Sealdah South Branch and Howrah – Bandel Branch have been cancelled and no trains will be rescheduled after 6am 27th May. Kolkata Port has also made several security preparations by mooring ships with thick ropes, mobile harbour cranes are being opened and all loading and unloading work will be stopped till 27th morning. The water level of the rivers in Gosaba Block has risen approximately 1 meter and is likely to rise 5-6 metres after the landfall of the cyclone.
Anticipated Impact
Source : IMD,26th May 2024,11:30 IST. Cyclone ‘Remal’ has strengthened into a severe cyclonic storm and is expected to hit the coasts of Bangladesh and West Bengal by Sunday midnight, with winds of 110–120 kmph and gusting up to 135 kmph, according to the Meteorological Department. Remal, moving northward, is likely to intensify further before crossing the coasts between Sagar Island (West Bengal) and Khepupara (Bangladesh), near the southwest of Mongla port, around midnight on Sunday, the weather office reported. The Meteorological Department has warned of extremely heavy rain in the coastal districts of West Bengal and heavy to very heavy rain in northern Odisha on May 26–27. Assam and Meghalaya are also expected to receive extremely heavy rain, with heavy to very heavy rain forecast for Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and Tripura on May 27–28.
FAQ
Q: What is the name of the cyclone affecting the Bay of Bengal?
A: The cyclone has been named „Remal‟ as per the Indian Ocean region’s cyclone naming protocol.
Q: What regions are forecasted to receive heavy rainfall?
A: The coastal districts of West Bengal, north Odisha, Mizoram, Tripura, and south Manipur are forecasted to receive heavy rainfall on May 26-27.
Conclusion
With Cyclone Remal expected to intensify further, the regions in its path need to be prepared for extremely heavy rainfall and strong winds. Stay updated with the latest weather forecasts and follow safety precautions as advised by the local authorities to ensure your well-being during this cyclone.
