Cyclone Remal Update: Severe Storm Approaching West Bengal and Bangladesh
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has reported that a cyclonic storm developing in the Bay of Bengal is expected to reach the coasts of West Bengal and adjoining Bangladesh on Sunday, May 26, as a severe cyclonic storm.
On May 23, IMD announced on X, “Well-marked Low Pressure Area over westcentral & adjoining south Bay of Bengal moved northeastwards during past 12 hours and lay over the same area at 1730 IST of 23 May. Very likely to concentrate into a Depression over central parts of Bay of Bengal by morning of 24th May.”
“Thereafter, to continue moving northeastwards, intensify further as cyclonic storm over eastcentral BOB by 25th May morning. Subsequently, it would move nearly northwards and reach near Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal coasts by 26th May evening as a severe cyclonic storm,” IMD stated.
The IMD has issued rainfall warnings for West Bengal’s coastal districts, neighboring districts of North Odisha, and Northeast India. According to the IMD bulletin, light to moderate rainfall is expected in most areas, with heavy to very heavy rainfall anticipated in isolated locations in the coastal districts of West Bengal, North Odisha, Mizoram, Tripura, and South Manipur on May 26 and 27.
The IMD also forecasts light to moderate rain in numerous areas, with heavy rainfall expected at isolated places in the coastal districts of North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, and Purba Medinipur in West Bengal.
Fishermen have been warned not to venture into the south Bay of Bengal until May 24, the central Bay of Bengal until May 26, and the North Bay of Bengal from May 24 until the morning of May 27. “Fishermen out at sea are advised to return to the coast,” IMD advised.
In addition to rainfall, IMD has issued wind warnings and alerts for rough sea conditions. Gale winds reaching speeds of 60-70 kmph, gusting to 80 kmph, are expected in the North Bay of Bengal from the morning of May 25. These winds could further intensify to 100-110 kmph, gusting to 120 kmph, over the north Bay of Bengal and 70-80 kmph, gusting to 90 kmph, over the central Bay of Bengal from May 26 morning for the subsequent 24 hours.
Moreover, from the evening of May 25, squally winds with speeds of 40-50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph, are expected along and off the coasts of Bangladesh, West Bengal, and North Odisha.
The IMD has also highlighted rough to very rough sea conditions in the central Bay of Bengal starting from the morning of May 25, and high to very high sea conditions in the North Bay of Bengal from the evening of May 25 until the morning of May 27.
With Phase 6 of the Lok Sabha elections scheduled for May 25, an official informed PTI that the Election Commission of India (ECI) has urged district administrations to implement all necessary precautions at polling stations due to the impending storm. The state Chief Electoral Officer, Ariz Aftab, held a meeting with superintendents of police and state disaster management officials to assess the situation and instructed them to take essential measures to avert any unfavorable circumstances. In Phase 6, eight seats in West Bengal will go to polls: Tamluk, Kanthi, Ghatal, Jhargram, Medinipur, Purulia, Bankura, and Bishnupur.
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